Lansing Sun

Michigan State redshirt sophomore punter Ryan Eckley has been named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List by the Augusta Sports Council.

The Ray Guy Award annually honors the nation's top collegiate punter in the FBS. Consensus All-America Spartan punter and current Patriots punter Bryce Baringer was one of three finalists for the award in 2022.

Eckley, a native of Lithia, Florida, ranked second in the Big Ten Conference and eighth in the FBS last season with his 46.8-yard punting average, which was the fifth-longest average in MSU single-season history.

Named a first-team Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and The Athletic, Eckley also ranked second in the Big Ten in 50-plus yard punts (24) and fourth in punts inside the 20 (23). He also had four punts of 60-plus yards and 15 inside the 10-yard line.

Eckley ended the season on a strong note by pinning at least one punt inside the 20 in each of the last six games, including 15 punts inside the 20 in the last five games. He saved one of his best performances for last, booming a season-high six punts for 50-plus yards in the regular-season finale vs. Penn State for a 54.0-yard average, including two of 60-plus yards, highlighted by his final punt of the night going for 63 yards.

Eckley was also named a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the league's coaches and media, and by The Associated Press.

The candidates on this year's Ray Guy Award Watch List incorporate a broad spectrum of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) punters. The list was compiled based on several criteria including previous semifinalists, top NCAA Punters from last year, all-conference teams, All-American Teams from last year, preseason all-conference teams for this year, and eligible candidates from last year's watch list.

The number of eligible candidates will increase when nominations open on Aug. 3. The complete list will be released on Nov. 6.

In mid-November, ten semifinalists will be selected and announced on Nov. 15. A national body consisting of FBS sports information directors, media representatives, and previous Ray Guy Award winners will then vote to determine three finalists to be announced on Nov. 26.

Afterward, voters will cast ballots again to select this year's top punter who will be announced live during The Home Depot College Football Awards airing on ESPN in December 2024.