A Lamp Unto My Cleats

The game of College Football has experienced quite a few changes in recent years.  NIL deals have complicated the recruiting process.  So-called “Super Conferences” have changed the landscape of the league.  The transfer portal has led to young men moving across the country to attend new schools, under new coaches, with new teammates.  Stability in college football is a thing of the past.  Some fans love the changes.  Others don’t.

As fans, it can be easy for us to forget that college football players are people – young people at that!  And change, as we all know, can be difficult.

AJ Barner is no stranger to change.

He grew up in Aurora, Ohio, where he attended Aurora High School.  He played Tight End on the offensive side of the field, but truly excelled on defense.  In his senior year, he was named the Northeast Ohio Division III Defensive Player of the Year.

After graduating from High School, Barner committed to Indiana University.  During his freshman season, he played mostly on special teams, in which he recorded four tackles.  In his sophomore season, he began to see some time at Tight End.  He appeared in all 12 games, starting 1, tallying 14 catches for 162 yards and 1 touchdown.  He role continued to grow in his junior year.  He was selected as a team captain, reeled in 28 receptions for 199 yards and three touchdowns.

Then came a big change in his life.

Prior to the 2023 season, Barner, along with good friend and former Indiana University quarterback, Jack Tuttle, transferred to the University of Michigan.  The two became roommates, which made the transition an easier one.  But not everything at Michigan was an improvement.  The weather sure wasn’t!  Barner told Ann Arbor newspaper, M-Live: “I get that it’s winter, and I’m from Ohio — but it’s been a little bit snowy and gray.  I guess, hopefully, the summer will be better. I’ve walked out of my door a lot of times and there’s been a lot of snow on the ground. I did not really expect that.”

The football season, however, went wonderfully!  Barner recorded 22 receptions for 249 and a touchdown.  But, most importantly, Barner’s Wolverines won the National Championship over the Washington Huskies.

After his lone season in Ann Arbor, it became time for another change, as Barner entered the NFL Draft.  One thing that will help Barner through yet another transition is his faith.  As he wrote his goodbye letter to University of Michigan, he started out by discussing his faith: “It has been a privilege and honor to play football at the collegiate level for the past four years,” he wrote.  “Thank you Lord for the many blessings that you have put in my life. ‘For those who love God all things work together for good.’ Romans 8:28.”  He closed his letter by saying: “I am extremely blessed and excited to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft.”

On Saturday, April 27, 2024, Barner was selected in the 4th round by the Seattle Seahawks.  I imagine he will be very pleased that Seattle is warmer than Michigan – though perhaps no less gray!