Ball State Transfer TE Tanner Koziol Commits to Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Make that back-to-back transfer portal commitments at a position of need for the Louisville football program.

Tanner Koziol, a tight end who spent the first three years of his collegiate career at Ball State, announced Wednesday that he has committed to the Cardinals. He recently took an official visit to campus this past Monday.

He's the second tight end portal commitment for Louisville over the last 24 hours, joining former San Diego State tight end Mark Redman, who committed Tuesday night.

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 6-foot-7, 240-pound tight end'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.

Securing commitments from both Koziol and Redman is a massive shot in the arm for Louisville at the tight end position, as they were not able to get much production out of the position until the end of the season. The Cardinals do bring back Nate Kurisky, Duane Martin and Jamari Johnson, but this trio combined for just 18 catches for 165 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Koziol is the fifth player to transfer to Louisville in this cycle, joining Redman, quarterback Tyler Shough, defensive tackle Thor Griffith and offensive lineman Jonathan Mendoza. The Cardinals have also seen eight players enter the portal since the winter transfer window opened last Monday.

He is expected to sign on Dec. 20 for the first day of the early signing period. Louisville went 10-2 during the regular season with a berth in the ACC Championship Game under first year head coach Jeff Brohm, and are preparing for their Holiday Bowl matchup with USC on Dec. 27.

(Photo of Tanner Koziol via Ball State University Athletics)

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