The Big Ten is loaded with programs who have historically dominated certain positions both at the collegiate level and in the NFL. Michigan State is one of those programs with a very specific position.
Iowa is ‘Tight End U’, Ohio State is ‘Wide Receiver U’, USC is ‘Quarterback U’, Wisconsin has a very legit argument to be ‘Running Back U’, and Michigan State is ‘Punter U’.
Obviously one of those things is not like the others and that’s because punter isn’t as sexy of a position as running back, receiver, quarterback, or even tight end. Special teams is important, especially when you have an offense like the one that Michigan State has had over the past few years. Having an elite punter to flip field position is important.
Other programs could probably have an argument for Punter U with Michigan State, but after producing back-to-back draft picks at the position, the debate might be over.
Phile Steele also proved that Michigan State is Punter U with his preseason All-Big Ten team projections. He listed six Spartans on the first and second teams and two are special teams performers. Kick returner Kenneth Williams appeared alongside Trent Fraley, Ben Murawski, and Conner Moore on the second team along with Iowa punter transfer Rhys Dakin.
Michigan State is Punter U.
Recognized among the best in the B1G 👏 pic.twitter.com/bNz18PsQ9M
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) June 12, 2026
You can’t name a better program for punters since the turn of the century. Truly something to brag about — I know. The Spartans haven’t only had elite punters when the offense has been bad, though.
Bryce Baringer, Jake Hartbarger, and Mike Sadler were all around during some successful seasons.
Obviously you want to avoid punting at all costs, but having an elite punter can be the difference between a bowl team and winning 9-10 games. Flipping field position is important and Michigan State has been elite in that regard for well over a decade.
Michigan State is easily Punter U since 2000
A case can be made that Michigan State has been the Punter U since 2000. The Spartans had Brandon Fields who eventually played for the Miami Dolphins after a successful career at Michigan State that included three first-team All-Big Ten selections and a consensus All-American honor.
Shortly following Fields, Sadler took over and was named a Freshman All-American, first-team All-Big Ten punter, and first-team All-American during his time in East Lansing. Unfortunately, his football career was cut way too short when he tragically lost his life in a car accident.
After Sadler, Hartbarger took over and he was named a Freshman All-American and was a two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten selection. He didn’t have the same NFL success as his predecessors or his replacement.
Baringer took over in 2020 and rose to stardom almost immediately. He was an All-American and should have won the Ray Guy Award in 2022 before he entered the NFL draft. He was selected by the New England Patriots where he’s currently the starter for a team that made the Super Bowl last season. He had the fourth-longest punt (73 yards) in the NFL last season.
Following Baringer, Eckley slid into the starting role where he was one of the best punters in America and was a Freshman All-American, second-team All-American, and was the Big Ten Punter of the Year in 2025. The first-team All-Big Ten punter was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens this spring.
Now Michigan State has another potential first-team All-Big Ten punter in Dakin.
Tell me again how Michigan State isn’t Punter U.
Add us as a preferred source on Google