Ourlads' Profile:
2024 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about AJ BARNER:
Michigan | HT: 6060 | WT: 251 | 40 time: 4.79 | Arm: 3338 | Hand: 0900 | Wing: 8178
Three-year starter. Transfer from Indiana prior to the 2023 season. Honorable mention All-Big 10 this past season. Rotated at tight end in Michigan’s offense that regularly utilized twelve and thirteen personnel packages. Plays his best football in-line but was flexed out plenty. A tall, well-built tight end prospect with long arms. A tough, gritty blocker whose game is highlighted in the trenches. As a run blocker, shoots his hands into the chestplate on engagement, and works them inside when necessary. Shows considerable strength in gap scheme when driving edge defenders off the line-of-scrimmage with power. Climbs to the second level with quick feet and agility and turns out his targets to open up running lanes. Able to sustain blocks with athleticism and solid change-of-direction to maintain leverage. Excellent in pass protection with good technique, an impressive anchor, active feet, and uses his length to create a bigger pocket for the quarterback. Takes long strides in space and can win with speed as a receiving option. Quality snap on his route to separate. Attacks open areas in zone coverage where he uses fluid hips and sufficient weight transition to help him turn back for the ball quickly. Need to see more consistent finish when taking on defenders in the box as he can get held up at the point-of-attack. He was rarely utilized as a receiving target in Michigan’s passing game. He doesn’t set up the defender with his stem which hinders his ability to separate at the top of his route. Caught many passes with his body rather than his hands. Struggles to haul in passes in contested catch situations. Ran a limited route tree in college and will need to clean up his routes. Shows upside as a receiver but his blocking skills are the focal point of his game.
2023 Stats: 22-249, 11.3 ypr, 1 TD. Draft projection: 5th-7th round