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2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: A.J. Barner, TE, Michigan

AJ Barner is a dominate inline blocking TE for Michigan who displays above-average play strength and use of hands. Hula Bowl scout Brandon Harston breaks down Barner as an NFL Prospect in his report.
AJ Barner is a dominant inline blocking TE for Michigan who displays above-average play strength and use of hands. Hula Bowl scout Brandon Harston breaks down Barner as an NFL Prospect in his report.

Player Data

Name, Jersey #AJ Barner, #89
School (Code)University of Michigan (MIUN)
DOB, Class Yr5/3/2002, SR/TR
Height, Weight6060, 251e
40 Yd Dash4.75e
Position/DepthTE/ Starter
Honors/CaptainshipJohn Mackey Award Watch List (2023), Team Captain for Indiana (2022), Two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2021-22)
Season Viewed (yr)22-23
Games WatchedOHST, NJRU, (@INUN)NEUN, (@MIUN)NEUN
Scout Name / DateBrandon Harston, 10/14/23

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2023GP: 6, GS: 5, 8 receptions for 75 yards
2022GP:10, GS:8,  28 receptions for 199 yards with three touchdowns
2021GP:12, GS:1, 14 receptions for 162 yards with one touchdown
2020GP:8, GS: 0

Player Summary:

He is a 4th-year Senior TE who transferred from INUN to MIUN and has started in 14 of 36 games in his collegiate career with no impactful injuries. Very good height and weight with an athletic build, and long arms, displaying good athletic ability with a solid combination of immediate quickness, agility, speed, and short area acceleration.  Barner displays a high FBI in the run game and passing game. Mainly used in the run game at Michigan, he has shown very good inline blocking skills in the zone scheme as well as the gap scheme. He has very good UOH on impact and throughout the play keeping leverage on the defender and showing unique play strength that is not usually associated with the TE position. In the passing game, he identifies holes in the defense. He is a mix of the old school TE, who is highly competitive and very physical. He is an extension of the OL, and the new age TE who can play flexed out, sniffer position, as well as be used in the screen game. He has been used in several ways, as an additional blocker in pass protection, a weapon in the open field, on special teams, and even on defense. Every place he has been, he has contributed in ways that may not show up in the stat box, but he is a very good football player.

Scheme Fit:

Any run game scheme, and spread offense

Power Statement:

A pro-style TE body with WR ball skills who is very competitive and dominant in the run game yet can be an elusive threat in the passing game. A Swiss army knife that can be used in multiple ways to make an impact on the game.

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