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). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 215 pounds, he has quickly become one of the most consistent special teams players in the league since joining the Patriots in 2023. Baringer played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini and Michigan State, where he developed into a top NFL draft prospect. He earned All-American honors in college and was selected by New England in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Early Life and Background
Bryce Baringer was born and raised in Waterford, Michigan, a small township located in Oakland County. He grew up in a region known for producing athletic talent, and his early life was shaped by a strong interest in football. Baringer attended Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, where he began developing his skills as a punter. His time at Notre Dame Preparatory in Pontiac, Michigan helped him gain attention from college programs.
Coming out of high school, Baringer initially signed a National Letter of Intent to play college football at Southern Illinois. However, he was later granted a release from that commitment, opening the door for a new opportunity. He then committed to play at the University of Illinois as a preferred walk-on, a path that required him to earn his roster spot through performance rather than scholarship.
Path to American Football
Baringer began his college career at the University of Illinois, where he redshirted his true freshman season, using the year to develop his skills and adjust to the speed of college football. After that initial season, he made the decision to transfer to Michigan State University, seeking a better opportunity to compete for a starting role. At Michigan State, Baringer’s path to the field was far from straightforward.
Originally, Baringer did not plan on continuing his football career and had stepped away from the sport. He was eventually contacted by the Michigan State coaching staff and took part in two tryouts, but was not offered a spot on the roster after either session. His opportunity finally arrived during the 2018 season when punters Jake Hartbarger and Tyler Hunt both suffered injuries, and Baringer was called upon to join the team.
He played in four games that year and punted 15 times for an average of 32.4 yards. Although he was cut by the Spartans entering the 2019 season after the team added Australian punter Jack Bouwmeester, Baringer continued to practice on his own. His dedication paid off when Bouwmeester left the program, and Baringer was offered a chance to rejoin the squad.
Bryce Baringer Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Baringer returned to Michigan State and entered his redshirt junior season competing with Mitchell Crawford, a graduate transfer from UTEP. He won the punting job early in the season and averaged 43.6 yards per punt across 37 attempts, showing clear improvement in both distance and consistency. That performance helped establish him as a reliable option for the Spartans.
As a redshirt senior, Baringer elevated his game to a historic level, punting 59 times for a Michigan State record 48.4 yard average. His strong season earned him Second-team All-Big Ten Conference honors, signaling that he was emerging as one of the top punters in the country.
Michigan State Breakthrough (2022)
Using the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Baringer returned to Michigan State for a sixth year. Entering his final college season, he was ranked as the best punting prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft by ESPN analyst Mel Kiper, a remarkable achievement for a player who had once been a walk-on and had briefly left the sport entirely.
That season, Baringer was named a Consensus All-American, Big Ten Punter of the Year, and First-team All-Big Ten, capping one of the most decorated individual seasons by a punter in Michigan State history. His combination of distance, hang time, and placement made him a complete specialist, and his performance solidified his status as an NFL prospect heading into the draft.
New England Patriots Era (2023–Present)
Baringer was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round, 192nd overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft. He signed a standard four-year rookie contract with a total value of about $4.02 million, including a signing bonus of $178,459. As a rookie, Baringer was named to the PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team, an early sign that the Patriots had found a long-term answer at the punter position.
He began his NFL career with a streak of at least 50 yards on his opening punt in each of his first 26 games, a remarkable run of consistency. The streak finally ended in Week 11 of the 2024 NFL season. In the 2025 season, Baringer punted 51 times for 2,416 yards, averaging 47.4 yards per attempt, and he continued to handle place-kick holding duties for the Patriots.
Driving Style and Strengths
While punters do not drive vehicles, Baringer’s professional strengths mirror the precision and consistency expected of any top specialist. He is known for his strong leg, his ability to directional punt, and his knack for pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line. His career average of nearly 48 yards per punt, combined with 90 punts placed inside the 20 through the 2025 season, reflects a well-rounded skill set that combines distance with accuracy.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Baringer’s early career came in Super Bowl LX, where he punted eight times for a 44.5-yard average in a 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Reaching the Super Bowl in just his third professional season underscored his value to a contending Patriots roster. His opening-punt streak of 50-plus yards in 26 consecutive games also stands as a notable statistical milestone in his young career.
Bryce Baringer Career Wins
Bryce Baringer’s career accolades reflect steady progression from overlooked walk-on to one of the top punters in the NFL. Through the 2025 season, he has earned a Consensus All-American selection, a Big Ten Punter of the Year award, and a place on the PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team. His career NFL statistics include 219 punts for 10,500 yards, a 47.9-yard average, a longest punt of 79 yards, 90 punts inside the 20, and 20 touchbacks.
Michigan State Highlights
At Michigan State, Baringer set a school record with a 48.4-yard punting average as a redshirt senior, a mark that placed him among the most productive punters in program history. He followed that performance with a Consensus All-American season in 2022, when he was also named Big Ten Punter of the Year and First-team All-Big Ten. Earlier, he had earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2021, completing a remarkable rise from walk-on to award-winning specialist.
Other Wins and Performances
Baringer’s professional resume includes his selection to the PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team in 2023, his fourth-quarter appearance in Super Bowl LX with the Patriots, and a consistent 50-yard opening-punt streak that spanned his first 26 NFL games. He has also contributed as a holder on place kicks, an important special teams role that adds to his overall value to New England.
Bryce Baringer Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Bryce Baringer’s parents and extended family is limited. He grew up in Waterford Township, Michigan, and attended Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, institutions that helped shape his early development as an athlete.
Personal Life
Baringer maintains a close friendship with professional golfer James Piot, who was his roommate during their time together at Michigan State. Beyond that connection, details about his personal life remain largely private. He continues to reside in the United States while playing for the New England Patriots.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season marked another step forward for Bryce Baringer and the New England Patriots. Baringer punted 51 times for 2,416 yards, averaging 47.4 yards per punt, continuing the strong distance numbers that have defined his early professional career. His ability to flip field position remained a key part of New England’s special teams identity.
The highlight of Baringer’s 2025 campaign came with a trip to Super Bowl LX, where he handled punting duties in a 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He punted eight times for a 44.5-yard average in the championship game, posting one of the larger workloads in Patriots postseason history. Reaching the Super Bowl in his third season underscored both his development and the team’s upward trajectory.
Looking ahead, Baringer remains under contract with the Patriots through the 2026 season, giving him a stable platform to build on his early success. With his leg strength, accuracy, and experience now battle-tested at the highest level, he is positioned to remain a key special teams contributor for New England in the seasons to come.
