AJ Barner took some time to answer questions on a conference call with Seahawks media on Saturday.
Michael Penix Jr.'s Former Teammate
Before AJ Barner was at Michigan he was at Indiana for three seasons, and he spent time with Michael Penix Jr. in 2020-21 and although the two haven't been teammates for a few years, Barner says they've stayed close. "Mike's my guy. Super stoked about his success and I know he'll do great things in Atlanta."
Mackey Award Finalist
In his lone season at Michigan, Barner won a national championship, took the Big Ten Conference Title and was a finalist for the John Mackey award, an award for the best college tight end.
When Barner was asked about transferring from Indiana to Michigan, he said, "It was a really tough decision. I'm a very loyal guy. I love my teammates and at the end of the day, I was a college athlete, and your eligibility is only so long. Michigan had an opportunity for me to go there and compete for a national championship. Like I said, I want to win championships. That made it the perfect fit for me."
Blocking Tight End
Despite being at Michigan for just one season, Barner said that he takes, "Great pride. I take pride in everything I do on the football field. And everything I do on the football field, I do at 110%. That's one thing you'll never question with me. I'm going to give my 100% effort on every play."
Former HS Quarterback/Linebacker
Before football players find the one position that fits their body type and skillset, they usually shuffle through different positions. Barner was part of that and has some experience at quarterback. Once he hit his growth spurt things changed.
His former high school coach, Bob Mihalik, of Aurora High School told Indy Star, "He knew he wasn't going to be the starting quarterback his junior year. He said, 'Coach, I want to play both ways. I want to help us.'". Mihalik added, "He was 6-4, 6-5 his senior year and played MIKE linebacker. Not only could he play sideline to sideline as a tackler, when we weren't blitzing, a guy with his height could get into passing lanes."
And coming out of high school most of the colleges recruiting him saw Barner as a defensive player, until he met Indiana's tight ends coach Nick Sheridan, and the rest is history, now that he's a Seahawks tight end.
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)
