Michigan State football is losing one of its best punters in school history.

Ryan Eckley announced Tuesday, Dec. 2, via X he plans to forego his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft in April.

“Since I was six years old, football has been a part of who I am,” Eckley wrote. “What started as a kid chasing a dream turned into years of work, sacrifice, and growth, and I’m incredibly grateful for every step of the journey that brought me here.”

Recruited to MSU by Mel Tucker, Eckley emerged as one of the nation’s best punters over the past two seasons under coach Jonathan Smith, who was fired Sunday. The 6-foot-2, 207-pound native of Lithia, Florida, led the Big Ten in 2024 at 47.9 yards per punt, which is tied for the fourth-best average in school history. He earned second-team

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