"I want to thank coach Mel Tucker and coach Jonathan Smith for taking a chance on me and providing me with this opportunity," Eckley wrote. "The belief, guidance and willingness to trust me at the highest level means more to me than words can express. You helped push me to grow not only as a player, but develop into a man."

The decision was not a total surprise after Eckley took part in senior day celebrations against Penn State on Nov. 15, signaling he likely would not return. At the time, former MSU head coach Jonathan Smith was not sure whether his punter had made a decision.

"I haven’t deeply talked to him on it. I think we did have a couple of guys just-in-case type thing," Smith said at his weekly press conference on Nov. 17. "I do think he has a chance to play this thing [football] for a long time."

After redshirting in 2022, Eckley has been MSU’s starting punter ever since, appearing in 36 games. Over three seasons, he compiled 7,094 yards on 149 punt attempts, averaging at least 46.7 yards per punt each year — including a career-best 48.5 this season.

If Eckley is drafted in April, he would become the second straight Michigan State starting punter to hear his name called, following former teammate — and current New England Patriots punter — Bryce Baringer. Baringer was selected 192nd overall in the 2023 NFL Draft after an All-American season in which he was named the Big Ten Punter of the Year.

Eckley will now look to do the same: get drafted and turn the opportunity into a career in the NFL.

"Thank you Michigan State and the entire Spartan Nation for the love and support. Go Green forever," Eckley wrote.