Tanner started playing soccer at age 4 and for 16 years played at the highest level in youth club soccer. At 18, he became the youngest professional player in the MISL while playing for the Kansas City Comets. He also played collegiate soccer at Mid America Nazarene University, where he led his team in scoring through the NAIA National Championship in 2015. He was named on the All-National Tournament team in 2015, scoring a total of 28 goals in 47 games. Tanner has been part of the coaching staff for FCKC and KC Athletics since 2011.