NFF National Scholar-Athletes
TE - 3.99 GPA – Mechanical Engineering
Head Coach: Matt Campbell | Athletics Director: Jamie Pollard
Faculty Athletics Representative: Dr. Timothy Day
The first Iowa State player to be named an All-American and an Academic All-American, Charlie Kolar has led one of the most successful eras in program history while maintaining a near perfect 3.99 GPA. The Norman, Oklahoma, native becomes the Cyclones' fourth NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
The first two-time First Team Academic All-American in Iowa State history, Kolar graduated summa cum laude in December 2020 with a degree in mechanical engineering while ranking in the highest two percent of engineering students. He is currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in finance. The 2020 Big 12 Dr. Gerald Lage Academic Achievement Award recipient is a four-time First Team Academic All-Big 12 selection and three-time First Team Academic All-District honoree. Kolar was also the recipient of the prestigious ISU Alumni Association Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award, which is given annually to a senior who displays high character and outstanding academic achievement.
This season, Kolar is second at Iowa State and ranks fifth in the Big 12 with 723 receiving yards while being tied for the team lead and being tied for fifth in the conference with five receiving touchdowns. The team captain has set new school single-season tight end records for receptions (58) and receiving yards (723) while guiding the Cyclones to a 7-5 record and bowl eligibility, including an upset win over then-No. 8 Oklahoma State on Oct. 23. Kolar has recorded a reception in 35 consecutive games, the second-longest streak in school history, and for the second straight season he has been named a finalist for the Mackey Award, which is awarded to the nation's top tight end.
A two-time All-American, Kolar earned Second Team honors from AFCA, FWAA and Walter Camp in 2020 and Third Team accolades from the AP in 2019. The three-time All-Big 12 performer earned First Team recognition in 2019 and 2020 after receiving Second Team laurels in 2018. A 2020 Mackey Award finalist, Kolar guided Iowa State to its first-ever New Year's Six bowl victory, catching five passes for a team-high 53 yards and a touchdown against Oregon in the 2021 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl. Kolar led the Cyclones to many other firsts in 2020, including their first-ever Big 12 regular season finish with sole possession of first place in the standings (8-1 conference record), their first-ever appearance in the Big 12 Championship game and their first-ever top 10 final ranking (No. 9).
Just the seventh Cyclone to reach 2,000 career receiving yards, Kolar owns virtually all school career records for tight ends, compiling the most receptions (164), receiving yards (2,148) and touchdowns (22). Among all receivers at Iowa State, his career receptions rank fourth, his receiving yards are fifth and his touchdowns rank third. Kolar led the Big 12 and ranked in the top-six nationally among tight ends in back-to-back seasons in receptions (51 in 2019, 44 in 2020), receiving yards (697 in 2019, 591 in 2020) and receiving touchdowns (7 in 2019, 7 in 2020).
A member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Kolar has volunteered at Mary Greeley Hospital and read to children at a local elementary school. He has also participated in Marshalltown tornado relief, as well as service with Victory Day and ExerCYse Time.
