The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted former Wisconsin commit and Houston Cougars tight end Tanner Koziol with the No. 164 pick of the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday.
Despite never playing a snap with the Badgers, Koziol spent four months with UW after joining Wisconsin as a member of the winter transfer portal window following the 2024 season. The former four-star recruit was ranked as a top-70 transfer prospect and the No. 3 player at his position during that period, but he left four weeks into spring practice and officially committed to Houston on April 17, 2025.
Before he pledged his commitment to UW, Koziol starred at Ball State. The 6-foot-6 pass-catcher reeled in 94 for a team-high 839 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024. He departed Ball State with 163 receptions, 1,507 yards and 18 touchdowns over three years.
At Houston, Koziol tallied 74 catches for 727 yards and six scores in 2025, enough to make him a first-team All-Big 12 selection.
The Jaguars also selected Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher in the second round on Friday, making Koziol the No. 3 option behind both the Aggie alum and starter Brenton Strange.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Jaguars draft former Wisconsin football commit in fifth round
Reporting by Mike Hall, Badgers Wire / Badgers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
