Desire to 'Win a National Championship' Why A.J. Barner Transferred From Indiana to Michigan

A.J. Barner transferred out of Indiana after the 2022 season. At the NFL Scouting Combine, the former Hoosiers tight end said he transferred to Michigan because he wanted to compete for a national championship.

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."

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