17 Jun Preseason Scouting Notes: Charlie Kolar, TE, Iowa State
Redshirt Junior | 6’6” 262 lbs | Norman, OK | Feb. 10, 1999
All-around tight end with high-end ball skills who wins with craftiness rather than speed
Overview:
Charlie Kolar emerged as Iowa State’s premier offensive weapon in 2019, notching a team-high 7 touchdown catches while becoming Brock Purdy’s most reliable target and security blanket. Kolar racked up a litany of All-American and Academic All-American honors in 2019, but elected to return to the Cyclones despite accruing legitimate NFL interest. He lined up all over the field for Iowa State’s offense, putting his hand in the dirt, lining up on the wing, or flexing out into the slot depending on the formation.
Strengths:
– Savvy, clever route runner. Finds holes in zones and sells run fakes well on play-action
– Sure-handed player with a quality catch radius
– Reliable clutch target on third downs and in critical situations
– Runs route with precision
– Good initial pop and hand placement as a blocker
– Adequate long speed makes him a mismatch against most linebackers
– Has the strong hands and body control to pull down contested catches
– Premium ball tracking ability
– High motor player who plays through the whistle
– Valuable football instincts and intellect
Areas to improve:
– Has problems with balance as a run blocks. Keeps his base too narrow
– Not a serious YAC threat. Transitions into an upfield runner quickly, but doesn’t break tackles
– Lacks burst in and out of breaks
– Takes poor downfield blocking angles and often whiffs on open-field blocks
Injury concerns:
N/A
Projection:
Kolar doesn’t have the elite athleticism that some of the other 2021 draft-eligible tight ends possess, but his combination of craftiness, reliable hands, and adequate blocking ability should attract teams looking for a No. 2 tight end. With Kolar’s ability to line up at different positions, he’ll fit into any offensive scheme. And although rookie tight ends typically face a steep learning curve in the NFL, Kolar’s intellect should help him get ahead of said curve quicker than normal. Look for him to be drafted sometime between the early third round and early fourth round if his stock holds steady due to the high-level competition at the position.
What to watch in 2020:
Can Kolar sharpen up the edges of his game enough to usurp his more athletic peers in the draft pecking order? With Kyle Pitts, Brevin Jordan and Pat Freirmuth all expected to declare, Kolar will have to round out his game if he wants to become TE1. To do so, Kolar needs to improve his balance and downfield angles as a blocker. He’ll also need to show more explosion in and out of his routes so that teams are confident in his ability to separate against man coverage.
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- XTB’s Director of Scouting
- Bay Area-born sports lover who has worked in the football industry as a journalist, coach, film analyst, and scout.
- Currently a graduate student attending the UMass Sport Management program, and received his BA in journalism at Hofstra University.