NEW YORK – Iowa State junior Charlie Kolar is one of three finalists for the John Mackey Award as one of the nation’s best tight ends, announced today by the Friends of John Mackey.

The John Mackey Award will determine its winner live during The Home Depot College Football Awards, Jan. 7 on ESPN.

Kolar joins Kyle Pitts (Florida) and Jalen Wydermyer (Texas A&M) as finalists.

It’s been another fantastic season for the All-American and two-time All-Big 12 First Team tight end.

A native of Norman, Okla., Kolar leads all Big 12 tight ends and ranks in the top-five nationally among tight ends in receptions (39), receiving yards (538) and touchdown catches (6) in 10 games played.

Kolar has caught a TD pass in five of his last six games and recorded a career-high 131 receiving yards in the win against Texas.

Kolar, who has the fourth-longest reception streak in school history at 23 games, has the most career catches (101) and career touchdown catches (16) by a tight end in school history. His 1,372 career receiving yards by a tight end is six yards shy of the school mark.

Kolar has been All-Big 12 QB Brock Purdy’s favorite target. The 6-6, 257-pounder has hooked up with Purdy in 15 of his career TD grabs. With his outstanding hands and precise routes, Kolar has registered a first down in 31 of his 39 catches and has been on the receiving end of 12 3^rd/4^th down conversions.

Kolar is the leader of the best tight end unit in the nation. Kolar, Chase Allen, Dylan Soehner and Easton Dean have a combined 72 receptions and 975 receiving yards, ranking first and second nationally, respectively, in the country.

ISU will play in its first-ever New Year’s Six Bowl against Oregon in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl (Jan. 2).