Jan 2, 2021; Glendale, AZ, USA; Iowa State’s Charlie Kolar (88) celebrates a touchdown against Oregon during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Breen-Arizona Republic
The Cyclones are running it back.
Iowa State will officially return 20 of their 23 offensive and defensive starters from their PlayStation Fiesta Bowl champions squad after the program received major news on Sunday when All-American tight end Charlie Kolar and multiple-time first-team All-Big 12 safety Greg Eisworth announced they’ll return for another go around in 2021.
Kolar, a finalist for the Mackey Award in 2020, is basically already locked into eventually leaving Ames as the most productive tight end in the program’s history. The Norman, Okla. native is the program’s all-time leader in receptions by a tight end (106), receiving yards by a tight end (1,425) and touchdown receptions by a tight end (17).
Kolar was a first, second or third-team All-American by nearly every major outlet in 2020 after catching 44 passes for 591 yards and seven touchdowns.
Eisworth, the first three-time first-team All-Big 12 selection in Iowa State history, recorded 47 total tackles, four pass breakups, 1.5 tackles for loss and an interception in 2020. He’ll enter his third season with the program having recorded 199 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, 19 pass breakups and three interceptions in his career.
As it currently stands, the Cyclones are only set to lose a trio of starters in tight end Dylan Soehner, defensive end JaQuan Bailey and safety Lawrence White.