AMES, Iowa – Iowa State sophomore tight end Charlie Kolar was named to the 2019 Academic All-America Division I Football First Team, announced today by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

The CoSIDA Academic All-America Football Team recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. Kolar is the first Cyclone football player to earn Academic All-America accolades since 2002 (Jordan Carstens- first team; Jack Whitver- second team).

A native of Norman, Okla., Kolar is one of the best tight ends in the nation. The sophomore is producing one of the best seasons by a tight end in school history, leading all Big 12 tight ends in receptions (48), receiving yards (675) and receiving touchdowns (7).

His 675 receiving yards is a school record by a tight end.

Kolar’s yards per game average (56.3) and touchdown reception (7) totals rank in the top-five nationally among FBS tight ends.

Kolar, who has five 70+ yard receiving games, has been a key target for Brock Purdy, recording 36 catches for first downs or touchdowns and has three receptions resulting in fourth down conversions.

In the classroom, Kolar is just as stellar. The two-time First Team Academic All-Big 12 selection holds a cumulative 3.98 GPA in mechanical engineering. He won the team GPA Award during the 2018-19 school year with a perfect 4.0 GPA.