Charlie Kolar Bio
Charlie Kolar (born February 10, 1999) is an American professional football tight end who currently plays in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft after a standout college career at Iowa State University. Kolar earned the William V. Campbell Trophy in 2021, recognizing him as the top scholar-athlete in college football, and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors three consecutive seasons from 2019 to 2021.
Early Life and Background
Charlie Kolar grew up in Norman, Oklahoma, where he attended Norman North High School. At Norman North, he was a multi-sport athlete, playing both football and basketball. As a junior, he recorded 52 receptions for 920 yards and 13 touchdowns. As a senior, he earned first-team All-State honors after catching 66 passes for 1,240 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Kolar was also a basketball teammate of NBA All-Star Trae Young during their high school years at Norman North. When it came time to choose a college, Kolar received offers from several schools including Air Force Academy, Army, and Stephen F. Austin. He ultimately committed to play football at Iowa State University in Ames, choosing the Cyclones over Oklahoma State despite a late recruiting push from the Cowboys.
Path to the NFL
Kolar redshirted his true freshman season at Iowa State in 2017. The following year as a redshirt freshman, he appeared in all 13 games and caught 11 passes for 137 yards and three touchdowns, earning second-team All-Big 12 Conference honors. That early success established him as a key piece of the Iowa State offense heading into his sophomore season.
During his redshirt sophomore year, Kolar caught 51 passes for 697 yards and seven touchdowns, earning first-team All-Big 12 recognition. He considered entering the 2020 NFL Draft after that season but chose to return to Iowa State for another year of development. He continued his growth as a receiver in his redshirt junior season, recording 44 receptions for 591 yards and a team-high seven touchdown catches, again earning first-team All-Big 12 honors.
Charlie Kolar Career
Baltimore Ravens (2022-Present)
Kolar was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 128th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2022, before his rookie season began. He was activated from injured reserve on November 8, 2022, and made his NFL debut in Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, playing just two snaps. In Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals, he recorded his first career catch, finishing the game with four receptions for 49 yards in a loss.
Kolar entered the 2023 season as the third tight end on the depth chart behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. He primarily played on special teams and saw limited offensive snaps early in the season. When Andrews suffered a severe ankle injury in Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals and missed the rest of the regular season, Kolar received increased playing time. In Week 17 against the Miami Dolphins, he caught his first career touchdown on a 19-yard reception from Tyler Huntley in a 56-19 Ravens victory. He finished the 2023 season with seven receptions for 87 yards and one touchdown while making three starts in the final six games.
In the 2024 season, Kolar showed continued development and contributed more consistently to the Ravens offense. He appeared in multiple games and recorded receptions throughout the season, building on his role in the passing attack. By the 2025 season, Kolar had become a more established part of the Ravens tight end rotation.
Playing Style and Strengths
Kolar stands at 6 feet 6 inches tall and plays the tight end position with good size and reliable hands. His background as a mechanical engineering student at Iowa State demonstrates his analytical approach to the game. He has shown the ability to make contested catches and contribute in the red zone. His collegiate achievements, particularly his consistency across three seasons of high-volume production, indicate his ability to be a reliable target in an NFL offense.
Charlie Kolar Career Highlights
Throughout his college and professional career, Kolar has accumulated notable accomplishments that highlight his development as a football player. His collegiate career at Iowa State established him as one of the most productive tight ends in the Big 12 Conference.
College Career Highlights
Kolar finished his Iowa State career with three consecutive first-team All-Big 12 selections from 2019 to 2021, along with second-team recognition in 2018. His most prestigious honor came in 2021 when he won the William V. Campbell Trophy, awarded to the top scholar-athlete in college football. He graduated from Iowa State in fall 2020 with a 3.99 cumulative GPA in mechanical engineering, demonstrating his ability to excel both on the field and in the classroom. His career at Iowa State spanned five seasons, during which he developed into one of the most reliable pass-catching tight ends in the country.
Professional Career Statistics
Through the 2025 NFL season, Kolar has appeared in multiple games for the Baltimore Ravens. He has recorded 30 receptions for 409 receiving yards and 4 receiving touchdowns in his NFL career. His most productive stretch came during the 2023 season when he caught his first NFL touchdown and showed increased comfort in the Ravens offensive system.
Charlie Kolar Family
Family Background
Charlie Kolar comes from an athletic family with strong football connections. His older brother, John Kolar, played quarterback at Oklahoma State and later transferred to Iowa State as a graduate student for the 2019 season. This connection made Iowa State a familiar and comfortable choice for Charlie during his recruiting process. His younger sister, Katie Kolar, played volleyball at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Personal Life
During his time at Iowa State, Kolar pursued a degree in mechanical engineering while maintaining an exceptional academic record with a 3.99 cumulative GPA. His academic excellence earned him recognition as one of the top scholar-athletes in college football. He maintains an active presence on social media with Twitter and Instagram accounts. Kolar continues to work on developing his game as he progresses through his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season marked another step in Charlie Kolar’s development as a professional football player. Entering his fourth season with the Baltimore Ravens, Kolar had established himself as a reliable option at the tight end position. His experience playing behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely provided him with valuable learning opportunities while also preparing him to contribute more significantly when called upon.
Kolar appeared in multiple games throughout the 2025 season, continuing to build chemistry with Ravens quarterbacks and special teams units. His familiarity with the Ravens offensive system made him a dependable depth piece on the roster. The coaching staff continued to utilize his skills in various offensive packages, including red zone situations where his size and catching ability provided the team with a valuable target.