AJ Barner

AJ Barner (born May 3, 2002) is an American football tight end for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines and Indiana Hoosiers. Barner transferred to Michigan for his senior season, winning a national championship in 2023. He was selected by the Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Early years
Barner was born in 2002 at Aurora, Ohio and attended Aurora High School. He played football as a tight end and linebacker at Aurora and was selected as the Northeast Ohio Division III Defensive Player of the Year.

Indiana
Barner played college football as a tight end for Indiana from 2020 to 2022. As a freshman and sophomore, he appeared in all 20 games for Indiana. As a junior, he was selected a team captain for the 2022 Indiana Hoosiers football team, started 10 games, and totaled 28 receptions for 199 yards and three touchdowns.

Michigan


In December 2022, Barner entered the NCAA transfer portal and accepted an offer from the University of Michigan. He chose Michigan because of its prioritization of the tight end position under Jim Harbaugh. He was named to the John Mackey Award watch list in August 2023.

Barner finished the 2023 national championship season with 22 catches for 249 yards and a touchdown. Barner was an All-Big Ten honorable mention.

Professional career
Barner was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round, 121st overall, of the 2024 NFL draft.