Tanner Conner Bio
Tanner Conner, born on March 20, 1998, is an American professional football tight end who plays for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Idaho State Bengals and has built his professional career as an undrafted free agent who worked his way onto NFL rosters through persistence and versatility. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 240 pounds, Conner combines the frame of a traditional tight end with the athletic background of a championship-level hurdler.
Before reaching the NFL, Conner earned recognition as one of the most athletic players in college football, appearing on sportswriter Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks List.” His journey from a multi-sport high school athlete in Washington to a professional tight end reflects a career shaped by hard work, position switches, and steady development.
Early Life and Background
Tanner Conner was born on March 20, 1998, and grew up in Kent, Washington. He attended Kentridge High School, where he was a multi-sport standout competing in football, basketball, and track and field. As a senior, he won the Washington state championship in the 300-meter hurdles, an achievement that highlighted the speed and athleticism that would later become central to his football identity.
Although Conner was a talented young athlete, he was not originally recruited to play college football. Instead, he committed to Idaho State University to run track, a decision that opened the door to a future in football once the school’s coaching staff recognized his potential on the gridiron. His father, Andy Conner, played college football at the University of Oregon, giving Tanner an early connection to the sport through family.
Conner’s high school years at Kentridge laid the foundation for his hybrid skill set, blending the explosiveness of a sprinter and hurdler with the toughness required for the tight end position. This combination of track-and-field discipline and football instincts would later define his path toward the professional level.
Path to Professional Football
Conner arrived at Idaho State University as a track recruit, but he was eventually offered the opportunity to join the football program as well. He redshirted his freshman football season, preserving a year of eligibility while adjusting to the demands of the sport at the college level. Once he stepped onto the field, Conner quickly proved that his athletic background translated into on-field production.
During his redshirt sophomore season, he recorded 47 receptions for 792 yards and eight touchdowns, earning honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference recognition. His performance drew attention across the Big Sky Conference and positioned him as one of the conference’s most reliable pass-catching tight ends. By his redshirt junior season, he had refined his route running and hands, finishing with 34 receptions for 685 yards and three touchdowns, and he was named first-team All-Big Sky.
Heading into his redshirt senior season, Conner was ranked as the 12th-most athletic player in college football on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List.” He closed out his Idaho State career with 42 receptions for 735 yards and four touchdowns, earning second-team All-Big Sky honors. Following his senior season, he was invited to the 2022 East–West Shrine Bowl, a prestigious all-star game that showcases draft-eligible talent to NFL scouts.
Tanner Conner Career
Early Career (2022)
Although Tanner Conner went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, he signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2022. His signing came shortly after the conclusion of the draft, and he entered a competitive training camp looking to earn a roster spot. Conner impressed the Dolphins’ coaching staff with his athleticism and versatility, ultimately making the team’s initial 53-man roster out of training camp.
Earning a place on the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie tight end was a significant early milestone, validating his transition from small-school standout to professional contributor. Conner’s ability to contribute on special teams and as a receiving option gave him a path to remain on Miami’s active roster during his first NFL season.
Miami Dolphins Era (2022–2025)
Conner spent the bulk of his early professional career with the Miami Dolphins. After making the initial 53-man roster in 2022, he continued to develop within the organization. On August 29, 2023, he was waived by the Dolphins but quickly returned to the team on the practice squad, demonstrating that the organization valued his potential and wanted to keep him within the building.
On January 15, 2024, Conner signed a reserve/future contract with Miami, securing his place with the team heading into the next league year. His continued presence on Miami’s roster reflected his growth as a reliable depth tight end and special teams contributor. On November 6, 2025, Conner was waived by the Dolphins and re-signed to the practice squad, and he was later released on December 17.
Across his time in Miami, Conner built a reputation as a hard-working, versatile tight end whose track-and-field background gave him a unique athletic profile among players at his position. His tenure with the Dolphins represented the formative years of his NFL career.
New York Giants Era (2025–Present)
On December 18, 2025, Tanner Conner was signed to the New York Giants’ practice squad, marking a new chapter in his professional career. The move provided him with a fresh opportunity to compete for a roster spot within a new organization. Joining the Giants late in the 2025 season, Conner joined a team looking to add depth at the tight end position.
The transition from Miami to New York represented a fresh start and an opportunity to showcase his skills in a different offensive system. As he settles into his role with the Giants, Conner brings the same athletic versatility and work ethic that defined his earlier professional years.
Driving Style and Strengths
Conner’s most recognizable strength as a tight end is his elite athletic profile, built on a championship-level track background. His experience as a hurdler and sprinter gives him rare speed and explosiveness for the position, allowing him to separate from linebackers in coverage. He also brings value as a blocker and on special teams, making him a versatile asset who can contribute in multiple phases of the game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Conner’s career are his Washington state championship in the 300-meter hurdles, his first-team All-Big Sky selection at Idaho State, and his inclusion on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List.” His invitation to the 2022 East–West Shrine Bowl and his signing with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent shortly afterward also stand out as defining milestones that launched his NFL journey.
Tanner Conner Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tanner Conner’s family has a clear connection to football, as his father, Andy Conner, played college football at the University of Oregon. Growing up around the sport through his father helped shape Tanner’s early interest in athletics and provided him with insight into the demands of competitive football.
Personal Life
Conner grew up in Kent, Washington, and maintains ties to the Pacific Northwest community that shaped his athletic development. His track-and-field background at Kentridge High School and Idaho State remains a defining part of his athletic identity and personal story.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season has been a period of transition for Tanner Conner. He began the year with the Miami Dolphins, where he was part of the team’s tight end group before being waived on November 6, 2025, and re-signed to the practice squad. Conner was later released on December 17, ending his time on Miami’s roster for the season.
Just one day after his release from Miami, Conner was signed to the New York Giants’ practice squad on December 18, 2025. The move gave him a chance to finish the season with a new organization and compete for a longer-term role heading into the next league year.
Conner’s 2025 season reflects the volatility that undrafted tight ends often face in the NFL, where roster movement is constant. His athletic profile, work ethic, and special teams ability position him as a candidate to compete for a spot on the Giants’ roster and continue building his professional career.