Charlie Kolar named to Biletnikoff Award watch list

Nov 16, 2019; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones tight end Charlie Kolar (88) celebrates after the touchdown against the Texas Longhorns at Jack Trice Stadium. The Cyclones beat the Longhorns 23 to 21. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State’s Charlie Kolar has been recognized as one of the nation’s best receivers entering the 2020 college football season.

Yes, I know, Kolar is a tight end, but that did not stop him from being included on the Biletnikoff Award watch list released on Thursday. The Biletnikoff Award is given annually to the nation’s best receiver, regardless of position, which means it honors college football’s best pass catchers.

The Norman, Okla. certainly solidified himself in that category last season while catching 51 passes for 697 yards and seven scores, which earned him second-team All-American honors from the Football Writers Association of America and Pro Football Focus, plus third-team All-American honors from the Associated Press. He was also a finalist for the Mackey Award, which is given to the nation’s best tight end and will release its watch list on Friday, another list you can be certain Kolar will appear on.

Kolar set a school-record for receiving yards in a season by a tight end while finishing second on the single-season receptions by a tight end and touchdowns by a tight end charts. He also became the first player in program history to be an All-American and Academic All-American in the same season.