Michigan State football: Bryce Baringer selected in 6th round by Patriots

Michigan State football fans were probably fist-pumping left and right on Saturday afternoon as star punter Bryce Baringer was selected in the sixth round by the New England Patriots.

With the pick at No. 192 overall, Baringer became the first punter selected in this year’s draft, passing up Ray Guy Award winner Adam Korsak — don’t even get me started about how much I believe Baringer got snubbed here.

After a strong NFL Combine showing where he dominated every single punting drill and a Big Ten Punter of the Year season as a Ray Guy Award finalist, Bill Belichick and the Patriots felt like they could address their need at punter in the sixth round, just two rounds after picking their potential kicker of the future.

Corliss Waitman was the only punter on the Patriots’ roster heading into the final day of the 2023 NFL Draft on Saturday and now Baringer is the projected starter.

The Michigan State football star should carve out a long NFL career

Baringer has the hangtime, leg strength, and ability to coffin-corner punts that NFL scouts and coaches drool over and he’s going to carve out a nice role as the Patriots’ starter.

He showed at the college level that he gets better every single year so I wouldn’t be shocked if he was one of the top punters in the NFL before too long. He should find a way to carve out a lengthy NFL career and I think the Patriots got an absolute beast here.

The field position battle will be won by New England in 2023 and beyond.