A football player in a white Houston Cougars uniform with the number 9, wearing a helmet and red gloves, holding a football, and tucking his ear while on the field.

Tanner Koziol

Full Name: Tanner Koziol

Date of Birth: March 29, 2004

Age (as of May 2025): 21

Hometown: Noblesville, Indiana

High School: Hamilton Southeastern High School (Fishers, IN)

Current School: University of Houston

Conference: Big 12 Conference

Academic Major: Not publicly disclosed

Years at School: Entering 4th year of college; 1st year at Houston (Senior class standing in 2025)

Transfer History: Transferred from Ball State to Houston after the 2024 season

Redshirt Status: Did not redshirt

Eligibility Remaining: Two years (2025 and 2026 seasons)

A football player in a white and red uniform running on the field holding a football, with a player in an orange and black uniform lying on the ground in the background.

FootBall Information

Position(s) Played: Tight End

Primary Position: Tight End

Pro Position Projection: TE (move TE with in-line capability)

Jersey Number: 9 (previously #85 at Ball State)

Starter or Backup: full-time starter

Team Captain Status: Not publicly disclosed

Games Played / Started:

  • 2022 (Ball State): 12 games (7 starts)

  • 2023 (Ball State): 12 games (12 starts)

  • 2024 (Ball State): 12 games (12 starts)

Injury History: No major injuries reported

Suspensions/Disciplinary Issues: None reported

COACH HISTORY

  • Head Coach: Willie Fritz (Houston)

  • Offensive Coordinator: Slade Nagle

  • Tight Ends Coach: Slade Nagle

Physical

Measurements

Height: 6'7"

Weight: 250 lbs

Arm Length: Pending Combine

Hand Size: Pending Combine

Wingspan: Pending Combine

summary

summary

Tanner Koziol is a long, sure-handed, pass-catching tight end who brings proven production and red-zone value to Houston’s offense after transferring from Ball State. At 6'7", 250 lbs, he possesses prototypical size with a big catch radius, natural hands, and the ability to win in contested situations. Koziol was one of the most productive tight ends in the MAC across his career, totaling 1,100+ receiving yards and 14 touchdowns over three seasons while serving as a featured passing-game weapon. He thrives working up the seam, creating mismatches against safeties and linebackers, and provides a reliable target on third down. While not an overpowering in-line blocker, he shows effort, positional leverage, and continued development in Fritz’s offense should elevate him into a more well-rounded TE. As he transitions into the Big 12, Koziol projects as an immediate matchup piece with NFL size and hands, with his ceiling tied to improvements in play strength, blocking consistency, and route refinement versus man coverage.