Ball State Transfer TE Tanner Koziol Decommits from Louisville, Withdraws From Portal

One of the Louisville's portal additions in this cycle will not end up with the program after all.

Former Ball State tight end Tanner Koziol, who announced that he would be transferring to the Cardinals back on Dec. 13, has decommitted from Louisville and withdrawn his name from the transfer portal, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

The 6-foot-7, 240-pound Koziol has been one of the best tight ends in the MAC for the past two seasons. This past season, he was one of Ball State's top pass catchers in a run-heavy offense, hauling in 34 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns. He was second on the team in receptions, third in yards, and first in touchdown receptions, and earned Third-Team All-MAC honors.

The Bloomingdale, Ill. native's best season came as a freshman in 2022. He logged 35 receptions for 373 and seven touchdowns, the latter of which led the team and was tied for fifth best in the FBS by a tight end. Not only did he receive First-Team All-MAC honors that season, Koziol also received a Third-Team Freshman All-American nod from College Football News. He grayshirted the 2021 season at Ball State.

While losing Koziol is a hit considering that tight end was a weak spot on Louisville's offense in 2023, it isn't a crushing blow for the position. The Cardinals are also bringing in San Diego State's Mark Redman and Kentucky's Izayah Cummings, returner Nate Kurisky became more active in the passing game as the season went on, plus UofL also brings back Duane Martin and Jamari Johnson. 

Louisville is now down to 16 transfer portal additions following Koziol's decommitment. The Cardinals have also seen 17 scholarship players of their own enter the portal during the winter transfer window.

The Cardinals finished their 2023 season with an overall mark of 10-4 (7-1 in ACC) including a berth in the program's first ever ACC Championship Game, but ended year one under head coach Jeff Brohm on a three-game losing streak.