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Pro Football Focus Names Houston’s Tanner Koziol As Most Valuable Returning Tight End

Originally posted on Heartland College Sports
By Brian McQuillen | Last updated Jul 24, 2025 1:23 PM ET

The Houston football team added firepower to its offense with tight end Tanner Koziol this offseason, who transferred from Ball State.

Koziol originally committed to Wisconsin but reopened his recruitment before landing with the Cougars.

Last season, the 6-foot-7 tight end tallied 839 receiving yards, 94 receptions, and eight touchdowns. As a result, PFF College listed Koziol as the most valuable returning tight end in 2025.

Most Valuable Returning College Player at Every Position⭐️ pic.twitter.com/jQgNGi6klE
— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 23, 2025

He earned second-team All-MAC honors and broke Ball State’s single-season reception record for a tight end. In his career, he recorded 163 catches, which also marked a program record at his position.

Koziol averaged 8.9 yards per catch and finished with over 100 yards twice last season. His best performance came against Central Michigan, when he tallied nine catches, 112 yards, and one touchdown.

With Houston’s offense struggling last season, Koziol is expected to have a large role heading into head coach Willie Fritz’s second season. The Cougars ranked last in scoring in the Big 12 Conference last season at just 14 points per game.

Houston finished 4-8 for the second consecutive season and scored less than 10 points three times in 2024.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Army offensive lineman Brady Small, Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons, LSU defensive tackle Bernard Gooden, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, as well as Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen and cornerback Leonard Moore, rounded out the list.

This article first appeared on Heartland College Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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