Desire to 'Win a National Championship' Why A.J. Barner Transferred From Indiana to Michigan
INDIANAPOLIS — The departure of tight end A.J. Barner was one of the biggest offseason blows to Indiana before the start of the 2023 season. During his media availability at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, the ex-Hoosiers star revealed why he left Bloomington and transferred to Michigan.
Barner said NIL deals played no role in his decision. Instead, it was the competitiveness in Ann Arbor that attracted him.
"It was really — you know, I wanted to go somewhere and compete for a national championship, I wanted to go somewhere to win and I wanted to go somewhere to be challenged every single day," Barner said. "Michigan checked all the boxes. I think, my personality, I'm a blue-collar, disciplined kid. I fit right in with the winged helmet."
That decision ultimately paid off for Barner.
Michigan finished the 2023 campaign with a perfect 15-0 record, winning a third straight Big Ten title and defeating Washington in the National Championship Game.
As a result of his success in Ann Arbor, Barner finds himself at the NFL Combine with a chance to improve his stock for the upcoming draft.
"It's a dream come true to be here. What an opportunity," Barner said. "Just attack it every day and I'm excited to do it."
In Barner's three seasons at Indiana, he totaled 42 catches for 361 yards and four touchdowns. He played in 25 career games for the Hoosiers.
Last season at Michigan, the tight end finished the year with 22 catches for 249 yards and a touchdown. But it wasn't the statistics that helped Barner with his draft stock. He said it's the improvement in his blocking that has caught so much attention.
"It helped me tremendously," Barner said of his time at Michigan. "The style of offense that we played and the program that Michigan runs I feel is very — as similar as it's gonna get (to the NFL).
"When I first got to Michigan, it was like 'this is tough.' There was tough days at practice, I was learning a new system, going up against talented players. As I continued to progress, it helped me in the long run."
Although he left Indiana after three seasons, Barner said he has no ill will toward the program. He still appreciates his time in Bloomington.
"I wouldn't change that experience for the world."
Related stories on Indiana football
- BIG TEN DRAFT COMBINE NOTEBOOK: Michigan sent a total of 18 players to Indianapolis for the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. As defensive lineman Braiden McGregor put it, downtown Indy "feels like Schembechler Hall" with so many Wolverines in town. CLICK HERE
- 2024 IU FOOTBALL PROJECTIONS: Though the 2024 Indiana football season does not begin for over six months, projections on the Hoosiers' win total and other metrics have recently been released for year one under new head coach Curt Cignetti. CLICK HERE
- CIGNETTI, STAFF CONTRACTS: New Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti’s six-year contract is heavily incentivized, and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines is now the highest-paid coordinator in program history, according to documents obtained through public records requests. CLICK HERE
- 2024 IU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE: Here are the dates for the 2024 Indiana football schedule, with game time and TV information to be announced at a later date. CLICK HERE
