Ryan Stonehouse Bio
Ryan Matthew Stonehouse is an American professional football punter. He played college football for the Colorado State Rams and signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Stonehouse currently holds the NCAA FBS and Mountain West Conference records for highest career average yards per punt, as well as the NFL single-season record for average yards per punt.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Stonehouse was born on May 11, 1999, in San Dimas, California, to parents Natalie Banks and Paul Stonehouse. His father, Paul, was a punter for Stanford University from 1989 to 1992. Additionally, two of his uncles were also Division I punters: John Stonehouse, who played for the University of Southern California, and Jeff Banks, who played for Washington State University. Stonehouse attended Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, where he helped his team achieve a 13–1 record in 2016, making a deep run in the CIF playoffs before losing in the semi-finals to St. John Bosco. He earned recognition as a Blue & Grey All-American and was named to the 2016 L.A. Times All-Star football team, among other accolades. Stonehouse was rated as a five-star punter during the Kohl’s Kicking 2016 Western Winter Showcase and was officially rated as a three-star recruit and the third-best punter prospect in the class of 2017 by 247Sports.com.
Path to American Football
Stonehouse received 11 scholarship offers from NCAA Division I schools and ultimately accepted an offer from Colorado State University on February 14, 2017, over offers from several other schools, including Arizona, California, and Illinois. As a freshman in 2017, he was named to the Ray Guy Award watch list and received an All-Mountain West honorable mention. Stonehouse played in every game that season, punting 46 times and ranking fifth in the country with an average of 45.9 yards per punt. His sophomore year in 2018 saw him finish second in the FBS with a 48.3-yard punt average, earning him a spot on the All-Mountain West first team and the Sporting News All-American second team. In 2019, he continued his success by being named to the All-Mountain West first team again, and in 2020, despite a shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he maintained his status as a top punter.
Ryan Stonehouse Career
Early Career (2022)
Ryan Stonehouse signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. He performed exceptionally well during the preseason, securing the punting job after the Titans released longtime punter Brett Kern. In his rookie season, Stonehouse set a new NFL single-season record for average yards per punt at 53.1, surpassing the previous record held since 1940. He was recognized as the NFL punting yards leader in 2022, punting 90 times for a total of 4,779 yards. His outstanding performance earned him a place on the PFWA All-Rookie Team and a second-team All-Pro selection.
Breakthrough (2022)
Stonehouse’s breakthrough moment came during a narrow Week 3 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, where he punted three times for 181 yards, including a long of 70 yards. His performance continued to impress throughout the season, highlighted by a standout game against the Washington Commanders, where he punted eight times for 416 yards. Stonehouse was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for October after averaging 51.7 yards per punt over that span. His ability to consistently deliver powerful punts earned him recognition and accolades, solidifying his place in the NFL.
Notable Works and Milestones
Ryan Stonehouse’s signature work includes setting the NFL single-season record for average yards per punt in 2022. He was named the punting yards leader for the same season and received multiple accolades, including selections to the PFWA All-Rookie Team and the second-team All-Pro.
Ryan Stonehouse Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Ryan Stonehouse has received several nominations, including recognition as a second-team All-Pro and a member of the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2022.
Ryan Stonehouse Awards Won
Ryan Stonehouse has achieved notable awards, including being the NFL punting yards leader in 2022, along with selections to the All-Mountain West first team and second team during his college career. He was also named an All-American in 2021.
Ryan Stonehouse Family
Ryan Stonehouse is the son of Natalie Banks and Paul Stonehouse. His father played college football, and he has two uncles who were also punters at the Division I level.
Personal Life
In his spare time, Ryan Stonehouse enjoys engaging in DIY projects, having built various items, including a covered outdoor kitchen in his backyard. He also has a passion for fostering and working with shelter dogs.