University of Houston Athletics
Koziol Off Board in 5th Round of NFL Draft
4/25/2026 2:15:00 PM | Football
Tight end becomes fourth-highest drafted tight end in school history
PITTSBURGH – Houston Football's Tanner Koziol became the program's highest drafted tight end since 1978 when the Illinois native was selected 164th overall in the 5th Round by Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL Draft on Saturday.
Koziol is the ninth tight end to be drafted out of Houston, the first since Fendi Onobun in 2010, and joins Riley Odoms (First Round, 5th overall pick, Broncos, 1972 Draft), Tom Beer (Second Round, 32nd pick Broncos, 1967 Draft) and Don Bass (Third Round, 83rd pick, Bengals, 1978 Draft), as the only Cougar tight ends to be drafted in the first five rounds of the NFL Draft. Koziol is Houston's fourth-highest tight end selected in the NFL Draft.
In 2025, Koziol earned All-American honors and was a Mackey Award Semifinalist for the best tight end in the country after leading FBS tight ends in receptions and finishing second among FBS tight ends with 727 receiving yards.
Koziol becomes Houston's 194th all-time NFL Draft selection, the first since Patrick Paul in 2024, and is the 10th draft in the last 11 years a Cougar has been selected.
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Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
Koziol is the ninth tight end to be drafted out of Houston, the first since Fendi Onobun in 2010, and joins Riley Odoms (First Round, 5th overall pick, Broncos, 1972 Draft), Tom Beer (Second Round, 32nd pick Broncos, 1967 Draft) and Don Bass (Third Round, 83rd pick, Bengals, 1978 Draft), as the only Cougar tight ends to be drafted in the first five rounds of the NFL Draft. Koziol is Houston's fourth-highest tight end selected in the NFL Draft.
In 2025, Koziol earned All-American honors and was a Mackey Award Semifinalist for the best tight end in the country after leading FBS tight ends in receptions and finishing second among FBS tight ends with 727 receiving yards.
Koziol becomes Houston's 194th all-time NFL Draft selection, the first since Patrick Paul in 2024, and is the 10th draft in the last 11 years a Cougar has been selected.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by providing NIL opportunities and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
–– UHCougars.com ––
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