Ryan Eckley embracing new challenges as MSU’s not-so-secret weapon

Michigan State punter Ryan Eckley has had to assume new roles with some special teams players out, and he’s OK with that.

There are few jobs in sports that are more thankless than being a punter. Fans hate the sight of you, because it means an offensive possession has failed. Kick it well, and nobody notices because that’s what you’re supposed to do. Screw it up, and you’ll be on every highlight for a week and a half.

But Michigan State’s Ryan Eckley is the rare exception. He’s made headlines with his kicking, and not his mistakes.

Eckley was outstanding in 2024, earning a second team all-conference selection. In the first game this season against Western Michigan, he averaged over 51 yards per punt, and pinned the Broncos inside the 20 four times. His fourth punt that checked up beautifully at the 1-yard-line led to a Western Michigan safety on the following play.

“That’s the idea of complimentary football,” Eckley said. “Special teams helping defense, helping offense. That’s what we’re working for.”

That type of kicking is what put Ryan Eckley on the preseason watchlist for the Ray Guy Award, which recognizes the top punter in the country.

But Eckley downplayed the importance of that award while speaking with the media.

“I mean it would be cool, but I’m not up at night thinking about winning the Ray Guy Award,” he said. “I’m thinking about winning each game at a time. An award is an award… I’m just going to punt the ball at the best level I can, and if it happens it happens.”

If he is a serious candidate at the end of the season, Eckley may have some special teams versatility to add to his resume. Already handling punting and kickoff duties, he was pressed into placekicking after a couple injuries to MSU’s starting kickers.

Even though his kick from 46 yards missed, Eckley said he has no concerns about being called on as a long-distance kicker if needed.

“It’s something I’ve always had in the back of my mind,” he said. “Especially for the NFL, being able to do all three (kickoff, punt, placekicking) is something that is nice to have in the bag. I’m pretty comfortable doing all three.”

Although the injuries to MSU’s kickers are not considered to be season-ending, it’s possible we haven’t seen the last of Eckley as Michigan State’s primary placekicker. And he’s fine with that.

“I felt confident and calm running out there. I just wrapped the kick a little bit.”

But he remains confident in his kicking abilities, citing successful attempts from as far as 60 yards back in the MSU indoor facility.

“I still have the leg to make it. It’s just finding the accuracy and consistency because I’m not doing it (placekicking) as often as I used to.”

Ryan Eckley is the latest MSU punter to gain national attention for his ability to flip field position. But he was quick to point out how much special teams as a unit means to the Michigan State football program.

“That’s something we’ve really emphasized as being a huge part of our program, being bought in to special teams,” Eckley said. “We have a graphic that we pop up of guys that have played here and how much money they’ve made in the NFL just playing special teams.”

But even a special teams ace like Eckley can’t resist dreaming of finding the end zone himself. When asked to describe the ultimate experience on the field, Eckley quickly answered, “scoring a touchdown”.

“I gotta score at some point,” Eckley said. “I can’t tell you how it would look. That’s to see on a Saturday”.

While Eckley might not be that type of weapon for Michigan State, he is a dangerous one in his current role. That is, as long as he provides his right leg with the rest it needs. Handling punting, kicking, and placekicking responsibilities is unusual.

“It’s day by day. Some days like today, I rested more than I kicked. Yesterday was a full day.”

But whether it’s punting, placekicking, kicking off, running, or passing, Ryan Eckley is going to be there when his number is called.

“I’m always thinking the sky’s the limit,” he said. “I don’t want to set limits on myself. We go out there and execute at the highest level, we can do some pretty cool stuff.”