Bryce Baringer Bio
Bryce Baringer (born April 26, 1999) is an American professional football punter for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He plays with the number 17 jersey and has established himself as one of the league’s most consistent punters since entering the NFL in 2023. Baringer was selected by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft and quickly made an impact, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in his debut season.
Early Life and Background
Bryce Baringer was born and grew up in Waterford Township, Michigan. He attended Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy in Pontiac, Michigan, where he developed his skills as a punter. His strong leg and consistency caught the attention of college recruiters from multiple programs.
After high school, Baringer initially signed a National Letter of Intent to play college football at Southern Illinois. However, he was granted a release from that commitment and instead chose to continue his football career as a preferred walk-on at the University of Illinois.
Path to American Football
Baringer began his college career at Illinois, where he redshirted his true freshman season. Seeking more opportunities to showcase his abilities, he transferred to Michigan State University. Upon arriving at Michigan State, Baringer originally did not plan on continuing his football career until he was contacted by the Spartans coaching staff.
He participated in two tryouts with the team but was not offered a roster spot after either one. His persistence paid off when both starting punters Jake Hartbarger and Tyler Hunt suffered injuries during the 2018 season. Baringer joined the roster and played in four games, punting 15 times for an average of 32.4 yards.
Bryce Baringer Career
Michigan State Years (2018–2022)
Baringer was cut by the Spartans entering the 2019 season after the team added Australian punter Jack Bouwmeester to their recruiting class. Rather than giving up on his football dreams, Baringer continued practicing punting independently and remained ready for his opportunity.
When Bouwmeester left the team at the conclusion of the 2019 season, Baringer was offered a chance to rejoin the squad. He entered his redshirt junior season competing with Mitchell Crawford, a graduate transfer from UTEP. Baringer won the starting punting job early in the season and averaged 43.6 yards per punt on 37 attempts.
As a redshirt senior, Baringer delivered his best collegiate performance. He punted 59 times for a Michigan State record 48.4-yard average and earned second-team All-Big Ten Conference honors. His exceptional leg strength and consistency earned him recognition as one of the top punting prospects in the country. He used the additional year of eligibility granted to college athletes in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and returned to Michigan State for a sixth season. Entering his final collegiate year, Baringer was ranked as the top punting prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft by ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.
New England Patriots Era (2023–Present)
Baringer was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round with the 192nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He signed a standard four-year rookie contract worth approximately $4.02 million, including a signing bonus of $178,459. From his very first game, Baringer showcased his powerful leg and reliability.
He started his professional career with a remarkable streak, punting at least 50 yards in each of his first 26 games. This consistency helped him earn a spot on the PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team at the end of the 2023 season. The streak finally came to an end in Week 11 of the 2024 NFL season.
Through the 2025 season, Baringer has continued to be a dependable asset for the Patriots. That season, he punted 51 times for 2,416 yards with a 47.4-yard average. In Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks, Baringer punted eight times for a 44.5-yard average in the 29–13 loss. His career statistics include 219 punts for 10,500 yards with a 47.9-yard average, a long punt of 79 yards, 90 punts inside the 20-yard line, and 20 touchbacks.
Driving Style and Strengths
Baringer is known for his exceptional hang time and directional punting ability. His consistency in pinning opponents deep in their own territory has been a key component of the Patriots’ special teams unit. His ability to boom long punts while maintaining accuracy has made him one of the more reliable punters in the league.
Notable Events and Milestones
His 26-game streak of 50-plus yard punts to begin his NFL career stands as a testament to his leg strength and consistency. Being selected as the top punting prospect by Mel Kiper Jr. entering the 2023 draft and earning recognition as a consensus All-American and Big Ten Punter of the Year at Michigan State highlighted his collegiate dominance before transitioning to the professional level.
Bryce Baringer Career Wins
Throughout his collegiate and professional career, Baringer has accumulated numerous accolades and impressive statistical achievements that highlight his standing as one of the top punters in football.
College Highlights
At Michigan State, Baringer set a single-season program record with his 48.4-yard punting average as a redshirt senior. He earned consensus All-American honors and was named the Big Ten Punter of the Year in 2022. He also received first-team All-Big Ten recognition that same season after being named second-team All-Big Ten in 2021. His 59 punts that year and overall career performance at Michigan State cemented his reputation as a dominant collegiate punter.
Professional Highlights
In his rookie NFL season, Baringer earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors, recognizing his immediate impact at the professional level. His career punt average of 47.9 yards ranks among the league leaders. With 90 punts landing inside the 20-yard line throughout his career, he has proven to be a strategic asset for the Patriots in field position battles.
| Competition Level | Games | Punts | Yards | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Regular Season | Multiple | 219 | 10,500 | 47.9 |
| 2025 Season | Full | 51 | 2,416 | 47.4 |
Bryce Baringer Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
No verified information regarding Baringer’s family background or racing lineage is available in the provided sources.
Personal Life
Baringer maintains a close friendship with professional golfer James Piot, who was his roommate during their time together at Michigan State University. This friendship has continued beyond their collegiate years as both athletes have transitioned to professional careers in their respective sports.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked another solid year for Baringer in a Patriots uniform. He continued his role as the team’s primary punter, demonstrating the consistency and leg strength that have defined his early NFL career. His 47.4-yard average on 51 punts showed his ability to maintain effectiveness throughout the season.
The highlight of Baringer’s 2025 campaign came when the Patriots advanced to Super Bowl LX. In that championship game against the Seattle Seahawks, he punted eight times for a 44.5-yard average. While the Patriots fell short in the game, Baringer’s performance in the postseason demonstrated his ability to handle high-pressure situations on the biggest stage in football.
Looking ahead, Baringer remains under contract with the New England Patriots through the 2026 season. His combination of youth, experience, and proven consistency makes him a valuable long-term piece for the team’s special teams unit as they continue to build for future success.