The moment the Baltimore Ravens called his name in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 211th overall pick, Ryan Eckley knew everything had changed.
The former Michigan State punter arrived in Baltimore as the first specialist selected in the draft, a distinction that reflected years of hard work and persistence. Draft day was only the beginning for Eckley.
“It’s been a really good experience,” Eckley said on Glenn Clark Radio May 5. “Getting the call there on draft day was pretty special. And then, things start to move pretty quickly, once you get down to Baltimore — a lot of new faces, a lot of new people to meet.”
A Lithia, Fla., native, Eckley starred at Newsome High School before developing into one of the top specialists in college football at Michigan State.
Across four seasons with the Spartans, Eckley totaled 149 punts and finished with a 47.6-yard career punting average, the highest average in Big Ten history. He steadily improved throughout his collegiate career, establishing himself as one of the nation’s top punters with his consistency, leg strength and ability to flip field position.
Baltimore entered the draft looking for stability at punter after Jordan Stout signed with the New York Giants in free agency. By making Eckley the first specialist taken in the draft, the team made clear how highly it viewed him.
“That’s a big honor,” Eckley said. “One of the things that I’m proud of in myself — that I was able to be top of my class this year.”
Now, his focus has already shifted to proving why the Ravens trusted him with that opportunity.
“Proving to the people of Baltimore and proving to the staff that they made the right decision,” he said.
Eckley’s football journey looks different from many specialists. While some punters come from soccer backgrounds, football was always his foundation. He started playing at 6 years old and spent much of his childhood lining up at quarterback and safety before eventually focusing on punting.
“College was the first time I really just punted,” Eckley said. “So, punting was something I got serious about when I was probably a sophomore in high school.”
That process-driven mentality became what pulled him deeper into the position.
“Once I started taking it seriously is when I fell in love with it because the process is such a huge part of being a specialist,” Eckley said.
Another passion followed him into college — golf. Eckley said his father introduced him to the sport, and through time it became something he connected closely to punting.
“I fell in love with golf in college,” Eckley said. “Now, I’m a severe addict.”
Eckley thinks of the connection between golf and punting quite often. Swing path, ball control and mental discipline all translate directly to the field.
“The correlation between punting and golf is really right there,” he said. “The swing path, the draws, fades, shot-shaping are all a huge part of punting. And the mental game too, it’s identical.”
Before becoming an NFL draft pick, Eckley began his college career as a walk-on. He says that still shapes the way he approaches every day.
“You’ve got to earn everything that’s given to you,” Eckley said. “Nothing will be just handed out to you, especially at this level.”
A deeper motivation has stayed with him for years as well. One of Eckley’s closest friends growing up, Bradley Hulett, died in December 2019. Eckley says that loss permanently changed the way he views his life and football.
“That’s been a huge part of my athletic journey,” Eckley said. “He was a huge supporter of mine.”
Now, every workout, every practice and every punt carries added meaning.
“It’s deeper than myself and it’s bigger than me just kicking a football,” Eckley said. “It’s me representing a friend who passed away and everyone who sacrificed for me to get to this level.”
As Eckley begins his NFL career in Baltimore, the rookie punter carries both confidence and perspective into every opportunity.
“If you don’t think you can be the best, then why are you there?” Eckley said.
For more from Eckley, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Michigan State Athletics