Tanner Conner Bio
Tanner Conner (born March 20, 1998) is an American professional football tight end for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 232 pounds, he plays a versatile role on offense and special teams. Conner previously spent time with the Miami Dolphins after entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Before reaching the NFL, Conner built a strong athletic foundation at Idaho State University, where he competed in both football and track and field. He became a two-time All-Big Sky Conference selection, finishing his college career as one of the most respected tight end prospects at the FCS level.
Early Life and Background
Tanner Conner was born on March 20, 1998, in Kent, Washington, and grew up in the same community. He attended Kentridge High School, where he developed into a multi-sport athlete. At Kentridge, he played both basketball and football while also joining the track and field team as a hurdler. His senior year brought one of the defining early achievements of his athletic career when he won the Washington state championship in the 300-meter hurdles.
Conner came from a family with deep ties to the sport of football. His father, Andy Conner, played college football at the University of Oregon, an experience that helped shape Tanner’s understanding of the game from a young age. This family background, combined with his high school versatility, helped prepare him for the next step in his athletic journey.
Although he was not heavily recruited to play college football, Conner was a talented enough track athlete to attract attention. He committed to Idaho State University initially to run track, but he soon received an offer to also play football for the Bengals, opening the door to his future career in the sport.
Path to Professional Football
Conner’s path to the NFL began at Idaho State, where he balanced dual-sport responsibilities. He redshirted his freshman football season, preserving a year of eligibility while he adjusted to the college level. Over the next several seasons, he steadily developed into one of the top tight ends in the Big Sky Conference.
After his redshirt sophomore season, Conner was named honorable mention All-Big Sky after recording 47 receptions for 792 yards and eight touchdowns. The following year, as a redshirt junior, he earned first-team All-Big Sky honors with 34 catches for 685 yards and three touchdowns. His athleticism also caught national attention, as he was listed as the 12th-most athletic player in college football on sportswriter Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks List” entering his redshirt senior season.
Conner finished his college career with 42 receptions for 735 yards and four touchdowns as a redshirt senior, earning second-team All-Big Sky recognition. He was invited to the 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl, a showcase that helped cement his status as a legitimate NFL prospect despite coming from an FCS program.
Tanner Conner Career
Early Career (2022-2023)
Conner signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2022, shortly after the conclusion of the 2022 NFL draft. He performed well enough in training camp to make the Dolphins’ initial 53-man roster, a notable achievement for an undrafted rookie tight end competing against veteran depth.
His time on the active roster was brief, however. On August 29, 2023, Conner was waived by Miami and quickly re-signed to the practice squad. He spent the remainder of that season contributing on the practice squad before signing a reserve/future contract with the Dolphins on January 15, 2024, keeping his NFL hopes alive.
Miami Dolphins Tenure (2022-2025)
Conner spent the bulk of his early NFL career with the Miami Dolphins, working to develop his role as a blocking tight end and special teams contributor. Although he did not log extensive offensive statistics during his Dolphins tenure, he remained on the team’s practice squad and reserve/future agreements, demonstrating consistency and durability.
His Dolphins career came to a turning point on November 6, 2025, when the team waived him and re-signed him to the practice squad. Conner was released from the practice squad on December 17, 2025, opening the door for a new opportunity elsewhere in the league.
New York Giants Era (2025-Present)
On December 18, 2025, Conner was signed to the New York Giants’ practice squad, giving him a fresh start with a new organization. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Giants on January 5, 2026, securing his place on the team’s offseason roster and positioning him to compete for a depth role at tight end.
Through his career in the NFL, Conner has recorded 12 receptions for 107 receiving yards, statistics that reflect his growing role as a pass-catching tight end. His transition to the Giants represents an opportunity to expand his offensive role while continuing to contribute on special teams.
Driving Style and Strengths
Conner’s athletic background in track and field translates directly to his performance on the football field. His experience as a hurdler contributes to his explosiveness, body control, and ability to separate from defenders as a receiver. He combines that athletic foundation with the physicality required to hold up as a blocker at the line of scrimmage, making him a well-rounded tight end prospect. His Big Sky Conference recognition and inclusion on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” underscore the rare combination of size, speed, and agility that defines his playing style.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Conner’s career came in high school, when he won the Washington state championship in the 300-meter hurdles. In college, his inclusion on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” highlighted his elite athletic profile among FCS players. In the NFL, making the Dolphins’ initial 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie in 2022 and later signing a reserve/future contract with the New York Giants stand out as important milestones in his professional journey.
Tanner Conner Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Tanner Conner comes from a family with a strong football heritage. His father, Andy Conner, played college football at the University of Oregon, giving Tanner an early and direct connection to the sport. This family background helped shape his understanding of the game and contributed to his development as a multi-sport athlete growing up in Kent, Washington.
Personal Life
Conner was raised in Kent, Washington, and continues to be recognized for his dual-sport background in football and track and field. While details about his personal relationships are not widely publicized, his commitment to athletic excellence has been a defining feature of his life from high school through his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Tanner Conner. He began the year with the Miami Dolphins, where he was waived on November 6, 2025, and re-signed to the practice squad as the team reshaped its roster. He was released from the practice squad on December 17, 2025, ending his Dolphins tenure.
Just one day after his release, Conner was signed to the New York Giants’ practice squad on December 18, 2025, providing him with a late-season opportunity. He then signed a reserve/future contract with New York on January 5, 2026, securing his place with the franchise beyond the 2025 campaign.
Looking ahead, Conner enters the 2025 offseason with momentum after finding a new home with the Giants. His combination of blocking ability, special teams value, and developmental receiving skills gives him a chance to compete for a larger role in New York’s offense and on special teams units in the seasons to follow.