Hoosiers Spring Football Preview: The Tight End Room Needs Someone to Emerge as a Playmaker

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Written by Zachary Greene (@zachegreene)

Indiana Football lost a key player on the offensive side of the ball when tight end AJ Barner transferred to Michigan. The group lacked physicality and failed to stay healthy this past season. This season, they will head into spring ball with a young relatively inexperienced group.

The group is led by Aaron Stienfeldt who was the back up to Barner last season, but he’s seen little playing time while in Bloomington. Someone will need to take over Barner’s production on the offensive side of the ball. If the Hoosiers can find their guy who can be a playmaker running and catching the ball as well as blocking, Walt Bell’s offense will be able to open up. All that aside, expect to see the program possibly convert someone over to the tight end position or add another player.

Departed

  • AJ Barner- Transfer to Michigan

Returning

  • James Bomba

  • Trey Walker

  • Aaron Steinfeldt

  • Ryan Miller

  • Brody Foley

Incoming

· Sam West

-James Bomba- Bomba transferred to Indiana from Miami of Ohio following the 2020 season. He redshirted his freshman season, walking onto the program during spring ball. This past season, Bomba appeared in nine games making three starts. Bomba started proving himself as a good blocking tight end, but needs to work on his skills in the pass game. It was evident that IU’s blocking struggled even more when Bomba missed games with injuries.

-Trey Walker – Redshirt Senior who appeared in five games this past season. He mostly saw time on special teams. Going into spring ball Walker has the most experience at the position and will be called upon to be a leader for the unit.

-Aaron Steinfeldt – The Bloomington North grad will have a chance to earn the starting spot this season. Steinfeldt as a Freshman appeared in all 12 games and caught a touchdown pass against Maryland. Steinfeldt has a good chance to be the starter once spring ball wraps up. His ability to catch the ball as well as block is going to be worth keeping an eye on. At Bloomington North he was a two-time all-state selection. He was recruited by Indiana after putting up record setting numbers in Bloomington.

-Brody Foley – Foley is one of Indiana’s top recruits in the 2022 class. He recently enrolled into spring classes after earning 2021 First-Team All-Ohio on defense. Rated the No.26 Tight End in the class Foley is young but has high ceiling. He missed the 2022 season with an injury, so it is important he gets the most out of spring ball this year before he falls behind other players.

-Ryan Miller– Miller is another young tight end out of Ohio. He was rated highly by rivals and lettered in baseball. Miller redshirted this past season while missing the season because of injury. He is another player with a high ceiling that hopes to make the most of his opportunity. Miller is in the same boat as Foley, spring practice will be vital for them to take the next step.

-Sam West – An intriguing freshman from Greensburg Community High School in Greensburg, Indiana, West was a star baseball player who was once committed to pitch at Alabama. He chose Indiana instead. A great athlete, West played all over the field in high school including quarterback. He will gain valuable experience during spring practice.