Tanner Koziol

Tanner Koziol (born January 28, 2004) is an American professional football tight end for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ball State Cardinals and the Houston Cougars and was selected by the Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL draft.

Early life Koziol attended Mount Vernon High School in Fortville, Indiana. He was rated as a three-star recruit. Initially, Koziol committed to play college football for the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. However, he later flipped his commitment to play for the Ball State Cardinals.

College career Ball State As a freshman in 2022, Koziol hauled in 35 receptions for 373 yards and seven touchdowns, earning freshman all-American honors. In 2023, he hauled in 34 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns for the Cardinals, earning third-team all-Mid-American Conference (MAC) honors. After the season, Koziol entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.

Wisconsin Koziol transferred to play for the Wisconsin Badgers.

Houston On April 17, 2025, Koziol announced that he would transfer to Houston.

In Houston's season opener against Stephen F. Austin on August 28, 2025, he recorded seven receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown before briefly exiting in the third quarter with a left leg injury, though he returned to the game. He was later cleared to play in the following game against Rice.

In 2025, Koziol recorded 74 receptions for 727 yards and six touchdowns in his only season with Houston. He served as one of Houston's primary receiving targets during the season and recorded at least five receptions in 10 of 13 games played. He was ranked No. 86 on ESPN's Top 100 players of the 2025 college football season. Against Arizona State, he had seven receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown. In the 2025 Texas Bowl, he finished with nine receptions for 76 yards and one touchdown.

In addition, he was named an All-American by Pro Football and Sports Network (PFSN) and was a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award.

Statistics Year Team Games Receiving 2022 Ball State 12 5 35 373 10.7 7 2023 Ball State 12 9 34 295 8.7 3 2024 Ball State 12 8 94 839 8.9 8 2025 Houston 13 13 74 727 9.8 6 Career 49 35 237 2,234 9.4 24

Professional career

Koziol was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round with the 164th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. He was the first Houston tight end selected in the NFL draft since 2010 and the ninth tight end in program history to be drafted.