Charlie Kolar, one of the greatest offensive weapons in Iowa State history, is off to the NFL.

The 6-foot-6 tight end announced on social media XXX he would be leaving Ames and declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft.

Kolar led the drastic turnaround of the tight end room in the Iowa State program over the last four seasons.

In 2016, Iowa State tight ends caught a total of seven passes for 68 yards. In 2017, the room caught five passes for 44 yards. 

Enter Kolar and other productive pieces into the tight end room and the switch became night and day.

Over the last four seasons, Iowa State tight ends have caught 272 passes for 3,374 yards and 30 touchdowns.

With his Cyclone career officially finished, Kolar leaves Ames 4th all time in Iowa State receiving yards (2,181).

Kolar is first in career receptions by an Iowa State tight end (168), yards (2,181) and touchdowns (23). His 23 scores is also good for third most overall in program history.

The two-time Mackey Award Finalist (2020, 2021) was a valuable asset for Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy over the last three seasons, particularly on third down.

In 2019, 36 of Kolar’s 51 receptions went for first downs or touchdowns and 16 catches were successful third/fourth down conversions. The following season, 35 of his 44 receptions resulted in first downs or touchdowns.

After leading all Big 12 tight ends for the third-straight season in receptions (62), receiving yards (756) and touchdown catches (6), Kolar became the second Iowa State player in school history to be named a First Team All-Big 12 selection three times in their career (2019, 2020, 2021).

And as good as he was on the field, his academic achievements matched his record-breaking career.

Kolar won the William V. Campbell Trophy in December, considered by many as the Academic Heisman Trophy. He graduated in the fall of 2020 with a 3.99 cumulative GPA in mechanical engineering.

Kolar is the only football player in school history to earn First Team CoSIDA Academic All-America accolades three times.