He's a two-time NCAA Div. II All-American. He was among the most prolific turnover-creating defenders in college football. And in 2025, he could be the steal of the NFL draft. 

He is Tanner Volk, the star safety from Central Washington University. 

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Volk embarks on April's draft as one of the most intriguing gems in the 2025 class, bringing an uncanny nose for the ball and tenacious pursuit that could make him a fit for any number of teams. 

Get to know Central Washington's All-American safety before the rest of the football-following world discovers him on Sundays come autumn. 

Who Is Tanner Volk? 

Tanner Volk came to Central Washington by way of Portland, Oregon area Aloha High School, which produced 5-star running back Thomas Tyner. Volk did not have the same recruiting billing coming out of Aloha, where he played for his father. 

Volk was graded a 2-star prospect by 247Sports, but he certainly delivered 5-star results at CWU. He debuted with the Wildcats in 2021, earning his way into the starting lineup almost immediately. 

Volk's impressive freshman and sophomore seasons, the latter of which he garnered 1st Team All-Lone Star Conference recognition for the first of three times in his career, set the stage for a 2023 that ranks among the best in Div. II football history. 

As a junior, Volk intercepted 13 passes, broke up 17, and accrued 124 tackles with 8.5 for loss. 

His otherworldly output earned Volk the Cliff Harris Award, presented to the best defensive player in Div. II football. The association with Harris is fitting as Volk begins his pursuit of NFL, too: Harris emerged from Ouachita Baptist to become a Pro Football Hall of Famer with the Dallas Cowboys. 

The proof is in the numbers🔥

Tanner Volk SHOWED UP at Pro Day🤝 We compared his stats to the safeties' stats from the 2025 NFL Combine—here’s how he measured up.@TannerVolk | @CWUFB | @LoneStarConf | #LSCfb #nflcombine #nfldraft #d2football pic.twitter.com/whlsZvvTBf

— FloCollege | Football (@FloCollegeFB) March 13, 2025

Tanner Volk Career Stats

• 307 tackles
• 24 interceptions
• Two interceptions returned for touchdowns
• 42 pass break-ups
• 13.5 tackles for loss
• Two forced fumbles
• Two fumble recoveries 

Major Career Awards

• 2023 Cliff Harris Award 
• 2023 and 2024 Consensus All-American 
• 2023 and 2024 Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year 
• Three-time 1st Team All-Lone Star Conference 

NFL Draft Round Projection

 Much like in his college recruitment out of Aloha High School, Volk appears to be flying under the radar as an NFL prospect if projection sites are correct. However, his impressive Pro Day showing might change that. 

Volk delivered results better than some of the top FBS power-conference safeties in this draft class. His 20-yard shuttle ranked second compared to NFL scouting combine participants, and his three-cone drill ranked third. 

There's no doubt that Volk will get an opportunity with an NFL team. He is likely to land as either a 7th-round pick of an undrafted free agent. Either way, he's proven he has the goods to stick on a roster and make an impact. 

Best Future Team Fit

Everyone loves a hometown underdog, which might make the Seattle Seahawks a potential landing spot for Volk. However, the organization in which he could have the most meaningful and immediate impact is the Chicago Bears. 

The long-suffering Bears have a variety of holes to fill under a new leadership regime, including in the secondary. Volk's big-play ability could earn him a role on a defense that was middling against the pass a season ago. 

When Is The NFL Draft?

The 2025 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place from April 24-26 at Lambeau Field and its adjacent Titletown District in Green Bay, Wisconsin, home to the Green Bay Packers. 

It is the first time that Green Bay has ever hosted the NFL Draft, which has been held every year since 1936. The Tennessee Titans, who finished with the league’s joint-worst record in the 2024 season at 3-14 overall, have the first overall pick.

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