Michigan State football stock watch following Western Michigan win

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 02: Germie Bernard #5 of Michigan State celebrates with teammates following his first quarter touchdown against Western Michigan at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images) /

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Sep 25, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans punter Bryce Baringer (99) punts the ball during the third quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Stock up: Bryce Baringer

After a year when Bryce Baringer was one of the nation’s top punters, he elected to come back for one final season. He averaged over 48 yards per punt last season, and from his first punt this season he is in midseason form. Baringer had a 67-yard punt to open the season. On top of that, the punt was downed after less than 10 yards of a bounce. Tyrell Henry downed the punt at the WMU 4, effectively killing the drive before it started.

Baringer shanked a directional punt on his next appearance, but his final two punts were great bouncebacks. His third punt went to the Western 13 before a return and penalty gave the Broncos the ball at their 33.

His final punt, however, was just as insane as the first. Baringer’s punt was a 70-yard bomb that one-hopped into the end zone. If this punt came from inside the MSU 10, I honestly believe Western would start with the ball in the shadows of its goalpost. Despite a 22-yard shank killing his average, Baringer finished with an average of over 50 yards per punt.

Stock analysis

I feel comfortable putting him on awards and accolades watch.

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