Countdown to 2020 IUFB Kickoff: 64 Days (AJ Barner)

Written by: Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Welcome to July! Usually a month filled with media days and excitement about the upcoming football season is now filled with uncertainty. We are just 64 days away from Indiana’s scheduled kickoff on September 4th at Wisconsin. There is currently no number 64 on the roster, so we are going to take a look at incoming freshman tight end AJ Barner.

Name – AJ Barner

Position – Tight End

Year/Hometown – Freshman from Aurora, Ohio

Height – 6’6”

Weight – 225 pounds

Barner comes to IU from Aurora High School in Aurora, Ohio as part of the 2020 signing class. He played both ways as a tight end and linebacker and made his biggest impact on the defensive side of the ball. Barner was named the Northeast Ohio Division III Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 as he posted 124 tackles. On offense he made 15 catches for 124 yards and four touchdowns. He was the MVP of a team that went 13-1 and reached the state semifinals.

Barner will be used on offense at IU and his 6’6” frame is ideal for the tight end position and to become a factor in the red zone passing game. “Couldn't be more excited about AJ. Just a great kid, great family. His parents have done a phenomenal job with him. Super tough…super competitive…tall…6-5 and a half…going to be big…has the great frame. Really a kid that just loves football, and like I said, we couldn't be more excited about him” IU offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan said of Barner. Sheridan was Barner’s main recruiter to IU.

Barner could find himself having a role in IU’s offense, at least for four games, if he can add some bulk. He has the combination of height and athleticism that only Peyton Hendershot has in the tight end room.