Tanner Koziol TE Houston | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Tanner Koziol TE Houston
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Slot Receiving TE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 05/28/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.76 seconds (55%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Slot Receiving TE | |
| Last Updated: 05/28/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.76 seconds (55%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 84.3 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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78% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 101.5 | |
| Hands: |
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84% |
| Short Receiving: |
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82% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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87% |
| Deep Threat: |
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72% |
| Blocking: |
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66% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#94
Position rank:
#5
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| College Games: 36 College Snaps: 1642 | ||
ESPN RATING: 69/100
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247 RATING: 72/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.4 (89%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jared Wiley - TCU |
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72% |
| Cole Turner - Nevada |
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69% |
| Gunnar Helm - Texas |
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69% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Tanner Koziol's college career took him from Ball State to Wisconsin and finally Houston after three productive seasons with the Cardinals. The 6'7", 230-pound tight end from Illinois attended three different high schools—Lake Park, Nazareth Academy, and Mt. Vernon—before arriving at Ball State as a two-star recruit in 2021. He initially committed to transfer to Wisconsin this past winter before changing course and joining the Cougars for his senior season.Koziol's 2024 season at Ball State produced 94 receptions for 839 yards and eight touchdowns, leading the Cardinals in catches and becoming the first tight end to do so since 1989. His 7.8 receptions per game ranked fourth nationally, with five nine-catch performances and a season-high 11 grabs against Buffalo. The numbers represented a significant jump from his 2023 totals of 34 catches for 295 yards and three scores. His career totals of 163 receptions for 1,507 yards and 18 touchdowns set new Ball State records for a tight end.
His performance earned first-team Group of 5 All-American honors from HERO Sports and third-team All-America recognition from College Football Network in 2024. Koziol received All-MAC honors in each of his three seasons, including second-team recognition as a junior. The multi-sport athlete from Mt. Vernon High School, who also played baseball and basketball, helped Nazareth Academy reach the state finals as a junior before transferring for his senior year.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional frame at 6'7" creates immediate red zone mismatches and provides massive catching radius that defensive backs simply cannot contest
- Proven hands catcher who secured 94 receptions in 2024 despite heavy target volume, demonstrating reliability in clutch situations
- Runs angry through contact after catches, consistently falling forward and breaking arm tackles with surprising power for his lean build
- Natural ball skills shine in traffic where his height advantage allows him to pluck passes over smaller defenders
- Solid run blocking fundamentals with good inside hand placement and sufficient knee bend to neutralize edge rushers one-on-one
- High football IQ evident in route adjustments and finding soft spots in zone coverage, particularly effective in intermediate passing game
- Durable competitor who logged 1,642 offensive snaps across 36 games, showing the physical toughness to handle heavy workloads
- Versatility to line up anywhere along the formation, from traditional tight end spots to split wide as an oversized receiver
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks the initial burst and explosiveness off the line needed to consistently separate from athletic linebackers and safeties
- Route running precision needs refinement as he often gets physical with defenders rather than creating clean separation through technique
- Blocking consistency wavers between dominant reps and plays where he allows defenders back into the action, lacking sustained nastiness
- Overextends when blocking in space, struggling to maintain proper leverage and balance when moving to the second level
- Limited pass protection experience due to Ball State's run-heavy scheme leaves questions about his ability to handle NFL pass rushers
Scouting Report: Summary
Heading into his Houston season, Koziol has the frame and production history that should keep him firmly on NFL radars. His 2025 campaign will be crucial for addressing the areas that separate good college players from legitimate draft prospects. The route running precision and blocking consistency questions can be answered with improved technique and coaching, while his proven hands and size advantages provide a solid foundation to build upon.Big 12 competition will test Koziol against more athletic defenders than he faced in the MAC, providing valuable evaluation opportunities for scouts. His ability to handle faster linebackers and more physical safeties will determine whether he projects as a mismatch creator or gets neutralized by superior athletes. The pass protection experience he'll gain in Houston's system could prove vital for his draft stock, as teams need to see him handle legitimate pass rushers before investing significant capital.
If Koziol can refine his route running and show improved blocking consistency throughout his senior season, he has the tools to hear his name called on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Teams seeking receiving tight ends with red zone upside will monitor his development closely, particularly how he responds to the step up in competition. His ceiling remains that of a starting NFL tight end, but this Houston season will determine whether he reaches that potential or settles into a more limited role.
How other scouting services rate Tanner Koziol (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
105.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
6.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.