Story Links
Spring Ball Chatter: Veterans
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…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Indiana University Athletics…