Tanner Koziol Scouting Report

By: Michael Higgins

(Image courtesy of Houston Athletics)

School: Houston

Class: Redshirt Senior

Position: TE

HT: 6’7

WT: 240 lbs

Background: Tanner Koziol was a 2-star wide receiver out of Bloomingdale, Illinois. Koziol was not highly sought after and was barely recruited. As a senior at Mount Vernon High School, he helped lead the team to a sectional championship. Koziol posted 35 receptions for 389 yards and 13 touchdowns for Mount Vernon that year. The 13 touchdowns was a Mount Vernon single season record. Koziol also played both basketball and baseball throughout high school. Koziol committed to play for Ball State over North Dakota, San Diego, and Valparaiso.

College: Koziol was an All-MAC selection in every season from 2022-2024, including a first team selection in 2022. Over his career at Ball State, he accumulated 163 receptions for 1,507 yards and 18 touchdowns. For his senior season, Koziol transferred to Houston. Koziol was an All-Big 12 First Team selection in his one season with the Cougars after being Houston’s primary offensive weapon. Koziol recorded 74 receptions for 727 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Strengths: Tanner Koziol is an ideal red zone target due to his length and overall size. He creates a matchup nightmare no matter who is guarding him. Defensive backs have trouble containing his size while linebackers have trouble containing his ball skills. Koziol has reliable hands; he is comfortable using his large catch radius to make catches outside his frame. As a runner, he keeps his legs moving for contact, fighting for every extra yard he can. He is able to find the weak spots in zone coverage to create a friendly target for the quarterback. Koziol has displayed that he has a high football IQ.

Weaknesses: Koziol does not have the movement skills or speed to create consistent separation. Koziol gets wrapped up in creating separation in a phone booth by getting physical and imposing his will rather than sharp and technical route running. Koziol needs to improve as a blocker both in pass protection and as a run blocker. He has the frame to be more than competitive with this aspect of his game, yet he is virtually a turnstile as a blocker.

Conclusion: Koziol is a reliable and durable tight end who has more than the average amount of college experience for a tight end prospect. He has stayed relatively healthy throughout his career. He will be an immediate red zone threat with eye-popping measurables. He would compliment a shifty, speedy tight end in the same room.

Best Team Fits: CIN, JAX, KC

Player Comparison: Jake Ferguson

Player Grade: Round 5 (58.8)