Fifth-round pick Tanner Koziol led FBS tight ends in receptions. Can his pass-catching prowess transform the Jaguars' offense?
One of the sneakiest picks the Jacksonville Jaguars made in last weekend's NFL draft was selecting Houston tight end Tanner Koziol in the fifth round.
Last season, Koziol led all FBS tight ends with 74 receptions, adding 727 yards and six touchdowns en route to First-team All-Big 12 honors.
This was yet another surprising pick as Jacksonville opted to reach for Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher in the second round, adding another tight end in the fifth.
Of course, the two will be expected to play different roles, as Boerkircher was a primary blocker in college, using his 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame to create advantages in the run game.
Koziol on the other hand, will bring his pass-catching ability and consistency to a tight end room that could use another vertical threat alongside Brenton Strange.
Boerkircher had just 38 catches in five years of collegiate football, while Koziol recorded 34 or more receptions in each of his four seasons, including a 94-catch season in 2024.
Koziol began his career at Ball State, earning All-MAC honors all three seasons before making the move to Houston.
In his remarkable 2024 season, Koziol's 94 receptions ranked sixth in all of FBS. He also led the Cardinals in receiving yards with 839.
In 2025, Koziol served as a reliable pass catcher for the Cougars, recording 40 or more yards in ten of his 13 appearances.
In mid-October, Koziol embarked on a three-game scoring streak, including a 7-catch, 100-yard showing against then-ranked No. 24 Arizona State.
Koziol was a one-man army in the receiving game, as the next-closest receiver notched just two catches for 27 yards.
He was an integral part of helping the Cougars to a ranked victory and continued to show up in the biggest games.
In Houston's season-finale 38-35 bowl game victory over LSU, Koziol once again found the endzone, adding nine catches and 76 yards in the Cougars' first bowl victory in three seasons.
His lone score came just before halftime, as the 6-foot-6, 247-pound tight end used his large frame and soft hands to rise up and catch a high-balled pass from QB Conner Weigman, giving the Cougars a 21-14 advantage.
While Boerkircher may have been the tight end that head coach Liam Coen was "dreaming" about, Koziol's consistent production and ability to immediately be a threat in the passing game projects him as a potential day-one weapon for Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars offense.
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