🟢 Next Up: Three Spartans Land on Senior Bowl Top 300 Watchlist
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Michigan State’s NFL pipeline continues to gain momentum, with three standout Spartans earning national recognition ahead of the 2025 season. Punter Ryan Eckley, safety Nikai Martinez, and tight end Jack Velling have all been named to the inaugural Senior Bowl Top 300 Watchlist, highlighting the top NFL Draft-eligible talent for 2026.
Each player brings a unique impact to the field — and together, they reflect the high-level development taking place in East Lansing.
🟣 Ryan Eckley: Weapon in the Field Position Game
Arguably the top returning punter in the Big Ten — and one of the best in the nation — redshirt junior Ryan Eckley continues to rack up accolades. Already named a second-team preseason All-American by both the Walter Camp Football Foundation and The Associated Press, Eckley also returns to the Ray Guy Award Watch List for the second straight year.
Eckley led the Big Ten last season with a 47.9-yard punting average, which tied for third-best in school history. Over his career, he’s averaging 47.2 yards per punt — a mark that would set a new Michigan State all-time record, topping Bryce Baringer’s 46.0-yard mark.
With 44 career punts of 50+ yards and five over 60 yards, Eckley is a true field-position asset. A two-year letterwinner and 2023 Freshman All-American, he’s proving once again that elite special teams play can be a game-changer.
🟢 Nikai Martinez: Defensive Anchor and Veteran Presence
After transferring from UCF, Nikai Martinez made an immediate impact in East Lansing. The Apopka, Florida native started all 12 games at safety in 2024, logging 51 tackles, 2 interceptions, and a team-high 724 defensive snaps.
Martinez’s experience is one of his greatest strengths. In total, he’s played in 39 collegiate games — 27 at UCF and 12 at MSU — amassing 126 career tackles, 5 interceptions, and a sack. His blend of athleticism, physicality, and football IQ gives Michigan State a stable presence in the back end of the defense.
With another strong season, Martinez could rise up draft boards as one of the more seasoned safeties in the country.
🟡 Jack Velling: Proven Playmaker at Tight End
Jack Velling entered the 2024 season with high expectations after transferring from Oregon State — and he delivered. In his first year as a Spartan, the 6-foot-4 tight end caught a career-high 36 passes for 411 yards and a touchdown, earning a spot on the Mackey Award Watch List for the second consecutive year.
Before arriving in East Lansing, Velling was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2023 after setting an Oregon State single-season record for tight end touchdowns with eight — tied for the most in the FBS that year.
Across 35 career games, Velling has totaled 81 receptions, 1,130 yards, and 12 touchdowns, showcasing his ability to stretch the field and serve as a red zone target.
🏈 Looking Ahead
The Senior Bowl Top 300 list is often a strong early indicator of next-level potential — and for Eckley, Martinez, and Velling, it’s another step in their journey toward the NFL.
As Michigan State prepares to open the 2025 season against Western Michigan on Friday, Aug. 29, all eyes will be on these three leaders to help guide the Spartans forward — and potentially into pro football futures.
From : Michigan State Spartans
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