AMES, Iowa – Iowa State defensive lineman Eyioma “Enyi” Uwazurike has been selected by the Denver Broncos with the No. 116 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Uwazurike was one of the top defensive linemen in the Big 12 Conference in 2021, earning First Team All-Big 12 honors from the league’s coaches. The Detroit, Michigan, native started all 13 games while playing on the interior and on the edge.

He finished the 2021 season with 42 tackles and was second on the team with 12.0 tackles for a loss and 9.0 sacks, ranking fourth in the Big 12 and 30^th nationally in sacks. Uwazurike had at least 0.5 TFL in 10 of 13 games last season.

He matched a career high with six tackles against Clemson in the Cheez-It Bowl.

“Enyi has grown so much in his time at Iowa State and we are so proud of him and thrilled for him and his family to have this moment,” Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell said. “He was incredibly flexible on the football field and had great success regardless of where we lined him up. His willingness to learn and adapt have really allowed him to impact Iowa State in a tremendous way.”

Uwazurike, who spent six seasons at Iowa State including a redshirt season in 2016, made 46 starts and played in 60 games in his career, the second-most games played in school history. He finished with 144 tackles, 34.5 TFL, 15.0 sacks, two fumble recoveries, 15 quarterback hurries and two blocked field goals.

He ranks third in school history for career tackles for a loss and sixth in sacks.

In addition to being named First Team All-Big 12 in 2021, he was an honorable mention selection in 2019 and 2020.

Uwazurike, the first Cyclone defensive lineman drafted since Ahtyba Rubin in 2008, is the second Cyclone picked in the 2022 NFL Draft, joining Breece Hall (New York Jets, 2^nd Round, Pick 36).

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State tight end Charlie Kolar, the most decorated player at his position in school history, was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round with the 128th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Kolar’s standout Cyclone career included being a three-time First Team All-Big 12 selection, a three-time All-American and two-time Mackey Award Finalist on the field. Off the field, Kolar was CoSIDA Academic All-America Football Player of the Year and recipient of the William V. Campbell Trophy in 2021.

The Norman, Oklahoma, native owns virtually all tight end records and ranks in ISU’s career top 10 in the following categories: receptions (168, 4^th), receiving yards (2,181, 4^th) and touchdowns (23, 3^rd).

“Charlie is one of the best competitors I have ever been around,” Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell said. “He takes great pride in everything that he does and that has set him up to be successful both on the field and off. Charlie has been an incredible representative of Iowa State the last five years and we are thrilled for him and the Kolar family.”

In 2021, Kolar started 11 of 12 games and led all Big 12 tight ends in receptions (62), receiving yards (756) and touchdown receptions (6), breaking his own season school records by tight ends in catches and receiving yards.

He ranked fifth nationally in catches per game (5.2) and fourth in the nation in receiving yards per game (63.0) among tight ends.

When the Cyclones needed someone to make a play through the air, it was often Kolar that they turned to. He had 18 third-down conversions and three more on fourth down.

Kolar’s best game came at Oklahoma, breaking ISU single-game records for tight ends in catches (12) and receiving yards (152), including eight receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter alone. His 12 receptions tied for the fifth-most by a Cyclone in school history.

Kolar, the first Cyclone tight end drafted since Mike Banks in 2002, is the third Cyclone picked in the 2022 NFL Draft, joining Breece Hall (New York Jets, 2^nd Round, Pick 36) and Enyi Uwazurike (Denver Broncos, 4^th Round, Pick 116).