Opposing QB is very familiar with Michigan football transfer

New Michigan football transfer AJ Barner came to Ann Arbor after being a team captain and more during his days with the Indiana Hoosiers. Additionally, a number of other ex-Indiana players decided to leave Tom Allen’s program following the 2022 season — one of which being Connor Bazelak, who is now the starting quarterback for Bowling Green, the Wolverines’ Week 3 opponent.

Michigan football transfer is familiar with Week 3 opposing quarterback

Earlier this week, we had a chance to catch up with new Michigan football transfer AJ Barner ahead of this weekend’s matchup against Bowling Green. When asked if he still talks to his ex-teammates at Indiana and beyond, here is what Barner said.

“Yeah, for sure,” AJ Barner said. “Every now and then, I’ll talk to them, but it is super busy right now. They (Indiana) are in their season. But no, I definitely still have a bunch of friends over there.”

This weekend, ex-Indiana quarterback Connor Bazelak will re-take the field with AJ Barner for the first time since their days with the Indiana Hoosiers; this time, they will be on opposing sidelines with their new teams.

“Connor (Bazelak) is a good dude, a good player also, and I’m excited to go up against him, and it’ll be good to see him again,” the Michigan football transfer said earlier this week. “And I wish him the best of luck.

“He threw me a touchdown against Idaho, which was cool. But yeah, he’s a really good player, and I can’t wait to see him this weekend. And I’m excited for it.”

Connor Bazelak is not the only ex-Indiana quarterback that will be in Ann Arbor this weekend

Aside from Bazelak, a second Indiana quarterback transferred following the 2022 season: current Michigan football backup quarterback Jack Tuttle. Tuttle likely won’t see in-game action this weekend due to injury and the Wolverines’ depth rotation, though that did not stop AJ Barner from praising the veteran QB.

“That was one thing that we just both ended up coming here, me and Jack (Tuttle),” Barner said. “He was a great friend of mine before we got here (to Michigan) and continues to be a great friend of mine while I’m here. And I think he’s a guy that just loves the game a whole lot and somebody that I can learn from because he plays quarterback, so I could always ask him questions about, ‘Hey, what are the quarterbacks looking at on this play?’ or, ‘How can I get open?’ and whatnot. So I think he’s just an awesome asset to have and a tremendous friend, and I’m glad that he’s here with me.”

This Saturday, when Bowling Green comes to town, a number of former Indiana Hoosiers will be taking the field at Michigan Stadium. From AJ Barner to Connor Bazelak, it will be a weekend of familiar faces wearing new uniforms in Ann Arbor.

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