Football

Kolar named John Mackey Award finalist — again

Dec 19, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Iowa State Cyclones tight end Charlie Kolar (88) scores a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The following is a press release from Iowa State Athletic Communications.

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State senior All-American tight end Charlie Kolar is one of the three finalists for the John Mackey Award for the second consecutive season.

The Mackey Award is given annually to the nation’s best tight end. Kolar is joined by Trey McBride (Colorado State) and Jalen Wydermyer (Texas A&M) as finalists for the award, which will be announced at the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 9.

Kolar is the greatest tight end in Iowa State history, earning All-America and CoSIDA Academic All-America honors twice in his career. Kolar is also a finalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy, given annually to college football’s best scholar-athlete.

A native of Norman, Okla., Kolar is Iowa State’s all-time tight end career leader in receptions (159), receiving yards (2,083) and touchdown catches (22), all totals No. 1 among active NCAA tight ends.

Kolar, who has produced ISU’s top three single-season receiving yard totals by a tight end (697 in 2019; 658 in 2021, 591 in 2020), is fifth nationally this season among NCAA tight ends in catches per game (5.3) and receiving yards per game (65.8). He also has five touchdown catches.

The Cyclone star broke ISU tight end school marks for catches (12) and receiving yards (152) at Oklahoma on Saturday, tallying eight receptions and 123 receiving yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter alone.

In his last two games, Kolar has 20 receptions for 228 yards and three touchdowns.

Kolar has caught a pass in 34-straight games, the second-longest streak in school history and the nation’s seventh-best active streak.

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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