Charlie Kolar Bio
Charlie Kolar (born February 10, 1999) is an American professional football tight end for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa State Cyclones. Kolar is noted for his accomplishments in high school and college where he earned multiple awards for his performance on the field.
Early Life and Background
Charlie Kolar was born in Norman, Oklahoma. He attended Norman North High School, where he played both football and basketball. During his junior year, Kolar had an impressive season, catching 52 passes for 920 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns. In his senior year, he was named first-team All-State after recording 66 receptions for 1,240 yards and 12 touchdowns. Kolar was also a basketball teammate of NBA All-Star Trae Young while at Norman North. He committed to play college football at Iowa State University in Ames, choosing the school over offers from the Air Force Academy, Army, and Stephen F. Austin University.
Path to American Football
Kolar redshirted his true freshman season at Iowa State. As a redshirt freshman, he played in all 13 games and finished with 11 receptions for 137 yards and three touchdowns, earning second-team All-Big 12 Conference honors. In his redshirt sophomore year, he caught 51 passes for 697 yards and seven touchdowns, receiving first-team All-Big 12 recognition. After considering entering the 2020 NFL Draft, Kolar opted to return for his redshirt junior season, where he again earned first-team All-Big 12 honors with 44 receptions for 591 yards and a team-high seven touchdown receptions. He graduated from Iowa State in the fall of 2020 with a remarkable 3.99 cumulative GPA in mechanical engineering. In 2021, he was awarded the William V. Campbell Trophy, often referred to as the “academic Heisman.”
Charlie Kolar Career
Early Career (2022)
Kolar was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, being the 128th overall pick. He was placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2022, and activated on November 8. Kolar made his NFL debut in Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, although he played only two snaps. In Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals, he recorded his first career catch, finishing the game with four receptions for 49 yards.
Breakthrough (2023)
In the 2023 season, Kolar was positioned as the third tight end on the depth chart, primarily participating on special teams. Following an injury to Mark Andrews, Kolar’s playing time increased, leading to three starts in the last six games. He achieved a significant milestone by catching his first career touchdown on a 19-yard reception from Tyler Huntley in a Week 17 victory over the Miami Dolphins. He concluded the regular season with seven receptions for 87 yards and one touchdown.
Notable Works and Milestones
Kolar’s signature work includes his performance during the 2023 season, where he demonstrated his potential as a reliable tight end in the NFL. His academic achievements, including the William V. Campbell Trophy, highlight his dedication both on and off the field.
Charlie Kolar Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Charlie Kolar has received several notable awards, including the William V. Campbell Trophy and multiple All-Big 12 honors.
Charlie Kolar Awards Won
Kolar’s awards include the William V. Campbell Trophy in 2021, recognizing his excellence in academics and athletics. He has also been named a first-team All-Big 12 player three times from 2019 to 2021 and a second-team All-Big 12 player in 2018.
Charlie Kolar Family
Charlie Kolar has an older brother, John, who played quarterback for Oklahoma State and later transferred to Iowa State for the 2019 season. His younger sister, Katie, is currently playing volleyball for West Virginia University.
Personal Life
Kolar maintains a low profile regarding his personal life. He is known for his strong family ties and commitment to both his academic and athletic pursuits.
