Kolar and Eisworth to return in 2021

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.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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