2021 Countdown to Kickoff: 88 Days (AJ Barner)

Written by Zach Greene (@zgreene650)

The 2021 Countdown! We are counting down the days left until the Hoosiers travel to Iowa City to take on the #16 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes on September 4. Today we profile tight end AJ Barner, a second-year player who will look to get playing time after a solid Freshman season playing mostly special teams. @_ajbarner_

Name: AJ Barner

Hometown: Aurora, Ohio

Position: Tight End

Year: Sophomore

Height/Weight: 6’6 / 240

AJ Barner is a well-developing sophomore looking to get playing time at tight end after mostly playing on special teams in 2020. During his playing time, Barner made four tackles, three solos and earned the special team’s player of the week against Michigan State.

Out of Aurora High School just outside of Cleveland, Barner initially committed to Ohio University before committing and coming to the Hoosiers. He was ranked the No. 36 prospect in Ohio and No. 48 tight end nationally by 247 Sports. They gave him a three-star rating. .

His other offers included Michigan State and seven different schools. At Aurora, Barner earned Northeast Ohio Division 3 Defensive Player of the Year as a linebacker, making a whopping 124 tackles. “He’s athletic, and he can move and change direction. You see that with him playing middle linebacker for his high school.” said Offensive Coordinator Nick Sheridan @IUCoachSheridan last fall.

The plan is to keep Barner at Tight End despite his success at Linebacker in High School.

Barner is listed third on the depth chart at Tight End after seniors Peyton Hendershot and Matt Bjorson.

Coming to Indiana, Barner weighed slightly over 200 pounds, and he knew that he needed to hit the weight room. “He is just big, and he grew over the summer,” stated Tom Allen @CoachAllenIU last fall. Now, he is listed at 240. Considering his big physical frame, Barner has the build to play tight end at a high level. It is expected that Barner could see some snaps at tight end this season and will be a leader on the special team’s unit. As he develops, Barner will more than likely be the starter once Bjornson and Hendershot leave.