The Seahawks selected AJ Barner, a tight end out of Michigan, with pick No. 121 overall in the fourth round.
Barner, who began his college career at Indiana before transferring to Michigan, won a national title last year with the Wolverines while earning honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference honors. In his one season at Michigan, Barner started eight games, appearing in 15, and caught 22 passes for 249 yards and one touchdown. Barner also contributed on special teams under current Seahawks special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh.
"It means everything," Barner said of being drafted by the Seahawks. "I'm here to win championships. I love football and I just want to help the team out however I can. It's an honor to go to a city like Seattle."
Stylistically, Barner said he can be any type of tight end the Seahawks ask him to be, be it a pass-catcher or a blocker.
"I'm a football player," he said. "If you ask me to go out there and catch 10 passes a game, I'll go do that. If you ask me to man up the C-gap and be physical, I'll go do that. If you ask me to play on every special team, I'll go do that. I love chopping up the helmet, I love playing physical football. This has been my dream since I've been a kid. This is what I love to do."
Prior to transferring to Michigan, Barner spent three seasons with Indiana and was a team captain in 2022 when he started eight of 10 games played, catching 28 passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns.
Barner gives the Seahawks additional tight end depth along with Noah Fant, Pharaoh Brown, Tyler Mabry and Brady Russell.
"In-line tight end who continues improving as a run blocker but is unlikely to offer much as a pass catcher. He was a captain at Indiana before transferring to Michigan, and scouts say he attacks practices and weight training with a single-minded obsession to get better and compete.
"He's technically sound in the early stages of the run block but needs to improve with his positioning to create better lanes for the runner. He can handle some pass protection but needs to keep improving. Barner's role might be a little limited as a blocking Y tight end with below-average pass-catching traits, but he should earn playing time in the future."
This is a developing story. Check back soon for additional news and analysis.
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The Seahawks selected Michigan TE AJ Barner with the 121st pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. Check out the best photos of the 4th rounder from his college playing days.
Indiana tight end AJ Barner runs with the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Idaho, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indiana tight end AJ Barner (88) reacts after scoring during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Indiana tight end AJ Barner (88) is stopped y Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley (6) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Michigan tight end AJ Barner (89) celebrates a first down reception against UNLV in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Michigan tight end AJ Barner (89) tries to break the tackle of Rutgers linebacker Deion Jennings (17) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Michigan tight end AJ Barner (89) and head coach Jim Harbaugh high-five during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Michigan tight end AJ Barner (89) breaks through the Ohio State defense during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan tight end AJ Barner (89) celebrates after catching a pass for a first down during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Michigan running back Donovan Edwards celebrates after scoring with tight end AJ Barner against Washington during the first half of the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
National tight end AJ Barner of Michigan (89) tries to haul in a pass as National defensive back Kitan Oladapo of Oregon State (28) defends during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
National tight end AJ Barner of Michigan (89) during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
National tight end AJ Barner of Michigan (89) carries the ball after a reception as American linebacker Jackson Sirmon of California (8) defends during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Michigan tight end AJ Barner speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Michigan tight end AJ Barner runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Michigan tight end AJ Barner runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
