Indiana University Athletics
For Barner, It’s Clear – Take Care of Business
4/21/2022 2:30:00 PM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – We are about to see the real AJ Barner, the guy who can blow up defensive linemen and linebackers when he's not burning the secondary for big pass plays.
After two years as Peyton Hendershot's tight-end understudy, this 6-6, 251-pound junior is ready to make his Indiana mark, and it won't come from finesse.
"I'm a guy who will take care of my business in the run game and be physical up front," he says. "Being in that leadership role and being vocal.
"Also a guy who can make big plays down the field. My ball skills are something that I always hang my hat on. I'm a guy who will make big plays and bring a lot of energy.
"I love to play. I'm not going to come out of the game. It's just being physical. I love flying around hitting people."
Barner got a close look at elite tight end play from Hendershot, who left last season as the tight end program leader in catches (136) and receiving yards (1,479), and second in touchdowns (14).
"It was a great opportunity," Barner says. "He is a guy that was a consistent All-Big Ten tight end.
"The big thing for me was just competing with him every day. In winter workouts or in practice, I was always trying to not only learn from him, but compete with him. I was trying to push myself to be a great player like he is."
Barner showed flashes of that last season, when he played in 12 games and started one. He caught 14 passes for 162 yards with a 76-yard touchdown reception against Idaho. On special teams, he recorded four tackles and blocked a punt. He also returned a punt 13 yards.
Barner had at least three catches in each of his final three games, including a four-catch-for-29-yard effort against Purdue. That earned him IU's Terry P. Cole Award as the Old Oaken Bucket MVP.
A strong spring suggests he's ready to follow in Hendershot's All-Big Ten footsteps.
"He's stepping into that role of being the lead guy in that (tight end) room," head coach Tom Allen says, "and also the lead guy in that position in terms of production.
"I see a lot out of him, which I've really been encouraged by."
Tight ends will have a huge impact in improving the run game. Barner is committed to doing his part.
"I have matured more in the run-game (blocking). I had to get in the weight room and train my legs to be able to move bodies in there.
"Footwork, too. I think anyone can be a good blocker. It's about if you want to block."
Better blocking will lead to more pass-catching opportunities, he adds.
"I understand that if you want the ball, you have to be able to block first. It is something I take pride in.
"I am excited to open holes for Shaun (Shivers), Josh (Henderson), Jaylin (Lucas), David (Holloman), Charlie Spegal and all the great running backs we have. Those guys are stepping up and making a lot of plays. I'm happy to open holes for them."
Beyond that, Barner says he's focused on leading.
"I am taking over that leadership role. (Hendershot) established a culture in the room where everyone knows his role."
Barner was a two-way high school standout in Ohio, thriving as a tight end and a linebacker. As a senior, he caught 15 passes for 123 yards and four touchdowns. He also totaled 124 tackles for a 13-1 Aurora team that reached the state semifinals.
That versatility will be fully utilized by new offensive coordinator Walt Bell, whose plans to boost the passing game include the concept of "managing the grass." That gives receivers the flexibility to adjust their routes depending on the defensive coverages.
"Guys talk about going to open grass," Barner says. "You're not set in stone with your routes. It's more with the coverage.
"My ability to use my size and speed to get open will be a good point of emphasis. It's something I'm excited to do."
As far as how managing the grass works, Barner says, "A lot of times, you're looking at the defensive coverage, looking where the safeties are at, if their rolling to Cover 3 or playing Cover 2. It's understanding what area of the field you will manage so you don't run into somebody's route. Everyone is managing their own grass."
A lot of work was done in January and February with the quarterbacks to ensure everyone, "was on the same page."
"We were making sure we're in our right spots," Barner says. "It's not just like it's third-and-4, and you're locking in on a hitch (route), and if the DB matches it, you're not getting open.
"With the new offense, you can make a play with whatever the defense is doing. They have to defend us. When they do decide to defend us, you can change what you're doing to get open, which I feel is a good opportunity for all the receivers and tight ends. We have the ability to do that. We have guys who can make plays."
As for how tight ends will fit in this, Barner says, "Coach Bell is a great dude. I go up there all the time, sitting in the offensive staff room with him. He's always open to us coming in and learning the game.
"For the TE position, do what you can do best. You play to your skills."
Barner leads a strong tight end group whose potential goes beyond that position.
Special teams, for instance.
"We have a bunch of guys who can make plays," Barner says. "We understand how important special teams are.
"Hopefully, we have three guys on gameday working with the offense. We plan to have five to six guys rotate on special teams and making game-changing plays. That's what we're going to do."
As for the team mood in the wake of last season Barner says, "Everyone is super hungry and super competitive. Going through that great season (6-2 in 2020) and then last season was a huge disappointment. It sucked.
"We have a bunch of guys who hate losing. That won't happen again. I'm sure of that."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – We are about to see the real AJ Barner, the guy who can blow up defensive linemen and linebackers when he's not burning the secondary for big pass plays.
After two years as Peyton Hendershot's tight-end understudy, this 6-6, 251-pound junior is ready to make his Indiana mark, and it won't come from finesse.
"I'm a guy who will take care of my business in the run game and be physical up front," he says. "Being in that leadership role and being vocal.
"Also a guy who can make big plays down the field. My ball skills are something that I always hang my hat on. I'm a guy who will make big plays and bring a lot of energy.
"I love to play. I'm not going to come out of the game. It's just being physical. I love flying around hitting people."
Barner got a close look at elite tight end play from Hendershot, who left last season as the tight end program leader in catches (136) and receiving yards (1,479), and second in touchdowns (14).
"It was a great opportunity," Barner says. "He is a guy that was a consistent All-Big Ten tight end.
"The big thing for me was just competing with him every day. In winter workouts or in practice, I was always trying to not only learn from him, but compete with him. I was trying to push myself to be a great player like he is."
Barner showed flashes of that last season, when he played in 12 games and started one. He caught 14 passes for 162 yards with a 76-yard touchdown reception against Idaho. On special teams, he recorded four tackles and blocked a punt. He also returned a punt 13 yards.
Barner had at least three catches in each of his final three games, including a four-catch-for-29-yard effort against Purdue. That earned him IU's Terry P. Cole Award as the Old Oaken Bucket MVP.
A strong spring suggests he's ready to follow in Hendershot's All-Big Ten footsteps.
"He's stepping into that role of being the lead guy in that (tight end) room," head coach Tom Allen says, "and also the lead guy in that position in terms of production.
"I see a lot out of him, which I've really been encouraged by."
Tight ends will have a huge impact in improving the run game. Barner is committed to doing his part.
"I have matured more in the run-game (blocking). I had to get in the weight room and train my legs to be able to move bodies in there.
"Footwork, too. I think anyone can be a good blocker. It's about if you want to block."
Better blocking will lead to more pass-catching opportunities, he adds.
"I understand that if you want the ball, you have to be able to block first. It is something I take pride in.
"I am excited to open holes for Shaun (Shivers), Josh (Henderson), Jaylin (Lucas), David (Holloman), Charlie Spegal and all the great running backs we have. Those guys are stepping up and making a lot of plays. I'm happy to open holes for them."
Beyond that, Barner says he's focused on leading.
"I am taking over that leadership role. (Hendershot) established a culture in the room where everyone knows his role."
Barner was a two-way high school standout in Ohio, thriving as a tight end and a linebacker. As a senior, he caught 15 passes for 123 yards and four touchdowns. He also totaled 124 tackles for a 13-1 Aurora team that reached the state semifinals.
That versatility will be fully utilized by new offensive coordinator Walt Bell, whose plans to boost the passing game include the concept of "managing the grass." That gives receivers the flexibility to adjust their routes depending on the defensive coverages.
"Guys talk about going to open grass," Barner says. "You're not set in stone with your routes. It's more with the coverage.
"My ability to use my size and speed to get open will be a good point of emphasis. It's something I'm excited to do."
As far as how managing the grass works, Barner says, "A lot of times, you're looking at the defensive coverage, looking where the safeties are at, if their rolling to Cover 3 or playing Cover 2. It's understanding what area of the field you will manage so you don't run into somebody's route. Everyone is managing their own grass."
A lot of work was done in January and February with the quarterbacks to ensure everyone, "was on the same page."
"We were making sure we're in our right spots," Barner says. "It's not just like it's third-and-4, and you're locking in on a hitch (route), and if the DB matches it, you're not getting open.
"With the new offense, you can make a play with whatever the defense is doing. They have to defend us. When they do decide to defend us, you can change what you're doing to get open, which I feel is a good opportunity for all the receivers and tight ends. We have the ability to do that. We have guys who can make plays."
As for how tight ends will fit in this, Barner says, "Coach Bell is a great dude. I go up there all the time, sitting in the offensive staff room with him. He's always open to us coming in and learning the game.
"For the TE position, do what you can do best. You play to your skills."
Barner leads a strong tight end group whose potential goes beyond that position.
Special teams, for instance.
"We have a bunch of guys who can make plays," Barner says. "We understand how important special teams are.
"Hopefully, we have three guys on gameday working with the offense. We plan to have five to six guys rotate on special teams and making game-changing plays. That's what we're going to do."
As for the team mood in the wake of last season Barner says, "Everyone is super hungry and super competitive. Going through that great season (6-2 in 2020) and then last season was a huge disappointment. It sucked.
"We have a bunch of guys who hate losing. That won't happen again. I'm sure of that."
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, August 11
Tuesday, August 11
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Thursday, August 06