Koziol is a throwback possession tight end built like a power forward who wins on the margins — contested catches, zone soft spots, and red-zone back-shoulder fades where his 6-foot-7 frame makes him virtually uncoverable. He's not going to run away from anyone (4.70 combine 40), and his route tree is limited to mostly short-to-intermediate concepts where he can leverage his giant catch radius rather than create separation with quickness. The blocking is willing but inconsistent — good enough effort to stay on the field as an in-line option but the feet die on contact and he gets washed on split-flow pulls. The floor is a decade-long NFL career as a reliable third-down and red-zone chain-mover in a west coast or play-action heavy scheme; the ceiling is Zach Ertz if everything clicks.
- Elite catch radius and contested-catch ability — plays like a power forward going up to high-point the football, particularly devastating in the red zone
- Sure hands with excellent hand strength; consistently catches away from his body with natural ball-tracking ability
- Outstanding zone-coverage recognition — finds soft spots and sits in windows with savvy that belies his experience level
- Uncommon college production (237 career receptions, 24 TDs) that validated across both MAC and Big 12 competition levels
- Versatile alignment experience — lined up in-line, H-back, big slot, and flexed out, providing schematic flexibility
- Below-average explosiveness and acceleration limit his ability to separate from athletic linebackers and safeties in man coverage
- Blocking technique is inconsistent — feet go dead on contact, plays over his toes, and gets rocked back by edge players on split-flow concepts
- Not a post-catch threat; limited YAC ability due to stiffness, minimal tackle-breaking, and pedestrian straight-line speed
- Unclear why he departed Wisconsin so suddenly during spring practice — potential character/fit red flag that requires further investigation
Similar profile to both — big-bodied, sure-handed, reliable receiving tight ends who win with size and positioning rather than separation and athleticism. Higbee's best seasons came as a high-volume, short-area target in the Rams' offense, which mirrors Koziol's most likely NFL role. Neither Higbee nor Otton are elite athletes, but both carved out long NFL careers as trustworthy chain-movers.