Last Updated on October 24, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Karson Sharar’s family has played an important role in his journey from Iowa high school football to the NFL. The Arizona Cardinals linebacker grew up in an athletic household where his father played college football and his younger sister became an accomplished basketball player.
Born on March 7, 2003, in Iowa Falls, Iowa, Karson Sharar is the son of Lincoln Sharar and Kimberley “Kim” Sharar. His younger sister, Ella Sharar, plays college basketball at Wayne State College.
Karson followed his father’s example by pursuing football at the collegiate level, eventually becoming a standout linebacker for the Iowa Hawkeyes before entering the NFL in 2026.
While his parents and sister have been identified in official athletics records, information about his romantic relationships and possible children remains limited.
Here is everything publicly known about Karson Sharar’s wife or girlfriend, children, parents, siblings and family background.
Karson Sharar’s Wife or Girlfriend: Is He Married?
Karson Sharar has not publicly confirmed a wife or girlfriend through reliable interviews, official NFL biographies or established sports publications.
As of now, his marital and current relationship status have not been independently established.
Although the Arizona Cardinals linebacker has attracted increasing attention following his selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, he has shared relatively little information about his romantic life.
His public interviews have concentrated primarily on his football development, college career, athletic background and transition to the NFL.
There is no sufficiently verified public announcement identifying a spouse, fiancée or long-term romantic partner.
Consequently, it would be inaccurate to identify any particular woman as Karson Sharar’s wife or girlfriend without reliable confirmation.
Karson Sharar’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?
As of now, there is no verified public information confirming that Karson Sharar has children.
Neither his University of Iowa football biography nor his official Arizona Cardinals player profile identifies any sons or daughters.
Likewise, the reliable interviews reviewed for this article have not established that he is a father.
However, the absence of publicly available information does not necessarily mean Sharar has no children. It simply means that his parental status has not been confirmed through trustworthy reporting.
Karson Sharar’s Parents: Meet His Father and Mother
Karson Sharar’s parents are Lincoln Sharar and Kimberley “Kim” Sharar.
Their identities are confirmed by the University of Iowa’s official football biography and Wayne State College’s athletics records.
Both parents have supported their children’s sporting ambitions, with Karson pursuing football and his younger sister Ella competing in basketball.
Karson Sharar’s Father: Lincoln Sharar
Lincoln Sharar is Karson Sharar’s father, a former college football player and construction business owner.
Originally from Dows, Iowa, Lincoln attended the University of Northern Iowa, where he played football for the Panthers during the 1990s.
He was a tight end and earned second-team All-Gateway Conference recognition in 1996.
His achievements are documented in the University of Northern Iowa’s official football records.
Lincoln’s football background became an important connection between him and his son, who later developed into a college football linebacker.
Before committing to the University of Iowa, Karson initially considered following his father’s footsteps by playing at Northern Iowa.
Lincoln Sharar’s Business Career
Outside football, Lincoln Sharar established a career in the construction industry.
According to the official website of King Construction, Lincoln graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in graphic communications.
In 1996, he and his brother, Lance Sharar, acquired King Construction and Overhead Door in Iowa Falls.
The family business subsequently expanded to other Iowa communities, including Clear Lake, Cedar Rapids and Ankeny.
Lincoln became involved in managing the company’s overhead door operations, flooring services and construction projects.
His professional background also provided Karson with practical work experience.
During a June 2026 interview on the Arizona Cardinals’ Cover 2 podcast, Karson explained that he helped his father with construction projects while growing up.
Those activities included pouring concrete and performing other physically demanding tasks.
Karson described the experience as an opportunity to learn practical skills and develop an appreciation for physical work.
His father’s influence therefore extended beyond football into his approach to discipline and responsibility.
Karson Sharar’s Mother: Kimberley “Kim” Sharar
Kimberley Sharar, commonly known as Kim Sharar, is Karson Sharar’s mother.
Her name appears in his official University of Iowa football biography, while her full first name is confirmed in the Wayne State College athletics biography of her daughter Ella.
Kim and Lincoln raised their two children in Iowa, encouraging their interests in education and organized sports.
According to King Construction’s official company biography, the couple enjoys attending sporting events and traveling to support their children’s athletic activities.
They have also enjoyed attending Minnesota Vikings games and spending time in Clear Lake, Iowa.
Kim was present when Karson received the phone call confirming his selection by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The moment was particularly meaningful because the family had supported his development through high school football and five seasons at the University of Iowa.
Karson Sharar’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Karson Sharar has one publicly confirmed sibling, a younger sister named Ella Sharar.
According to King Construction’s official family biography, Lincoln and Kim Sharar have two children: Karson and Ella.
Their family therefore includes two young athletes who pursued different sports at the college level.
Ella Sharar: Karson Sharar’s Younger Sister
Ella Sharar is Karson Sharar’s younger sister and a college basketball player.
Born on April 21, 2006, Ella grew up in Iowa Falls and attended Iowa Falls-Alden High School, the same school as her older brother.
She became an accomplished high school basketball player while also competing in volleyball.
According to Wayne State College’s official athletics biography, Ella was a four-year starter in both sports.
During her senior basketball season, she averaged 21.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.
Her performances earned her second-team Iowa Class 3A All-State recognition.
Ella also established several school basketball records, including 1,469 career points, 42 points in a single game and 178 career three-pointers.
These achievements made her one of the outstanding basketball players in Iowa Falls-Alden High School history.
Ella Sharar’s College Basketball Career
After graduating from high school, Ella Sharar attended Ellsworth Community College in Iowa.
During her season with the Panthers, she averaged 13.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
She helped Ellsworth achieve a 25-6 record, its strongest season in nearly three decades.
Her performances earned All-Region recognition, and she was named the team’s Most Valuable Player.
In 2025, Ella continued her college basketball career at Wayne State College in Nebraska.
During the 2025-26 season, she appeared in 22 games for the Wildcats.
As of now, she is listed as a junior forward on Wayne State College’s 2026-27 women’s basketball roster.
She is studying business marketing, according to her official college biography.
Like Karson, Ella has pursued competitive sports beyond high school, continuing the family’s athletic tradition.
Does Karson Sharar Have a Brother?
There is no verified public information identifying a brother of Karson Sharar.
King Construction’s family biography specifically identifies Karson and Ella as the two children of Lincoln and Kim Sharar.
Therefore, Ella is his only sibling documented in the available authoritative family records.
Karson Sharar’s Family Celebrated His 2026 NFL Draft Selection
One of the most significant moments for the Sharar family came on April 25, 2026, when the Arizona Cardinals selected Karson in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.
Arizona used the 183rd overall pick to select the former Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker.
During an interview on the Cardinals Cover 2 podcast in June 2026, Sharar recalled being at home in Iowa Falls with his parents and sister when the call arrived.
The family was sitting together when Arizona contacted him.
Sharar explained that he was initially speechless before expressing his excitement about joining the organization.
The selection was a meaningful family achievement after years of football training, college competition and preparation for the professional level.
The presence of his mother, father and sister during the announcement demonstrated how closely his family had followed his journey.
Karson Sharar’s Childhood and Family Background
Karson Sharar was born on March 7, 2003, in Iowa Falls, Iowa.
He grew up in a family with connections to athletics and business.
His father had played Division I college football, while his parents encouraged participation in competitive sports.
Karson attended Iowa Falls-Alden High School, where he developed into an accomplished athlete in both football and basketball.
On the football field, he contributed as a linebacker and running back.
His versatility allowed him to make an impact on both offense and defense.
During his senior season, Sharar recorded 81 tackles, accumulated more than 1,300 all-purpose yards and scored 15 total touchdowns.
He earned first-team All-State recognition and served as a team captain.
He also excelled in basketball, earning All-State honors and attracting interest from Drake University.
Despite his success in basketball, Sharar ultimately chose football as his path to college athletics.
How Karson Sharar Followed His Father’s Football Legacy
Karson Sharar’s father, Lincoln, played tight end at Northern Iowa during the 1990s.
When Karson began receiving college football scholarship offers, the University of Northern Iowa was among the schools interested in recruiting him.
He initially committed to Northern Iowa, which would have allowed him to attend the same university where his father played football.
However, his recruitment changed in December 2020.
The University of Iowa offered him a scholarship after evaluating his performances during his senior high school season.
In a December 11, 2020, interview with Rivals, Sharar explained that competing in Power Five football had always been one of his goals.
He accepted Iowa’s scholarship offer shortly after receiving it.
His decision allowed him to remain in his home state while competing in one of college football’s major conferences.
Karson Sharar’s College Career at Iowa
Karson Sharar joined the Iowa Hawkeyes football program in 2021.
His early college career involved limited playing opportunities, primarily on special teams.
He redshirted during his freshman season and appeared in seven games in 2022 before an injury interrupted his campaign.
He gradually earned more playing time during the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
In 2024, Iowa recognized him with the team’s defensive Hustle Award.
His breakthrough came during the 2025 season, when he became a starting linebacker.
Sharar started all 13 games and led the Hawkeyes with 83 tackles, including 12 tackles for loss.
He also recorded four sacks, six quarterback pressures, a forced fumble and a pass defended.
His performances earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition from the conference’s coaches and media.
He received Iowa’s defensive Hustle Award for the second consecutive season.
Sharar completed his college football career with 104 tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss.
Karson Sharar’s NFL Career With the Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals selected Karson Sharar in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
He joined the organization as an inside linebacker with considerable experience on special teams.
According to Arizona’s official player biography, Sharar participated in 545 special-teams snaps during his college football career.
That experience helped establish him as a potential contributor in multiple phases of the game.
As of now, Sharar is a rookie linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals, wearing jersey number 43.
His professional career represents the continuation of a football tradition established by his father, while his younger sister pursues her own athletic ambitions in college basketball.
Frequently Asked Questions About Karson Sharar’s Family
Who is Karson Sharar’s wife?
As of now, there is no verified public confirmation that Karson Sharar is married. His marital status remains private.
Does Karson Sharar have a girlfriend?
Karson Sharar has not publicly identified a current girlfriend through reliable interviews or official sources.
Does Karson Sharar have children?
There is no verified public information confirming that Karson Sharar has a son or daughter.
Who is Karson Sharar’s father?
His father is Lincoln Sharar, a former University of Northern Iowa football tight end and co-owner of King Construction.
Who is Karson Sharar’s mother?
His mother is Kimberley “Kim” Sharar, who supported his football career and was present during his selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Who is Karson Sharar’s sister?
His younger sister is Ella Sharar, a college basketball player for the Wayne State Wildcats.
Does Karson Sharar have any brothers?
No brothers have been identified in reliable family biographies. His parents have two publicly documented children, Karson and Ella.
Is Ella Sharar related to Karson Sharar?
Yes. Ella Sharar is Karson Sharar’s younger sister. Both grew up in Iowa Falls and became college athletes.
Where is Karson Sharar from?
Karson Sharar is from Iowa Falls, Iowa, where he attended Iowa Falls-Alden High School.
What college did Karson Sharar attend?
He attended the University of Iowa, where he played football from 2021 through 2025.
What NFL team does Karson Sharar play for?
As of now, Karson Sharar plays for the Arizona Cardinals, who selected him in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Valentim Tereshkova is a sports journalist and NFL analyst specializing in team dynamics, scheme breakdowns, and league-wide trends. Covering everything from offseason roster construction and Draft developments to Sunday game plans and Super Bowl contenders, he delivers clear, sharp commentary on the gridiron. Valentim combines stat-driven analysis with a passion for football storytelling to give readers an expert look into the AFC and NFC.
