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Michigan State's Ryan Eckley wins Big Ten Punter of the Year; two other Spartans earn postseason recognition

On3 imageby: Jake Lyskawa3 hours agojakelyskawa

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State’s Ryan Eckley won the Big Ten Punter of the Year Award on Wednesday. The redshirt junior also took home First Team All-Big Ten honors from both the coaches and the media.

The news comes one day after Eckley (6-2, 207) declared for the NFL Draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility. The Lithia, Fla., native’s 48.5 yards per punt this season led the Big Ten. He also led the conference with 23 punts of 50 yards or more. His longest punt this season traveled 60 yards, good for eighth-longest in the league.

Eckley also accepted an invitation to the Panini Senior Bowl on Wednesday. The game will take place at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama at 1:30 p.m. CT on Jan. 31, 2026.

Eckley earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and Third Team honors from the media as a redshirt sophomore last fall. The season prior, he earned Second Team honors from both the coaches and the media. He also took home Freshman All-American honors from the Football Writers Association of America and The Athletic that year.

Michigan State had two additional players earn postseason recognition on Wednesday. Jordan Hall was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and media, while fellow linebacker Wayne Matthews III was an honorable mention pick by the media.

Hall finished the season with a team-high 88 tackles (4.5 for a loss), 2.5 sacks, one interception, one pass deflection and three forced fumbles in 12 games. Matthews logged 73 tackles (4.5 for a loss), one interception and one pass deflection in 12 games.

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