It's a safe bet that virtually no one saw Columbia winning a share of the Ivy League championship in 2024.
After the Lions slipped back to 1-6 overall and 2-8 last fall, the conference pundits reverted to form and picked them last this year. That was no surprise, but there could be one in store.
To be sure, there was more to Columbia's fall than injuries, but they did play a significant role in what happened. A big role, and it started at quarterback where Chase Goodwin missed three games in the middle of the season. While his nine touchdowns to nine interceptions and 53.2 percent completion percentage weren't the kind of numbers Jon Poppe would like to see, the coach made it clear in the Ivy League media day call that Goodwin is his QB. During the championship run two years ago, Goodwin completed 66.7 percent of throws with six touchdowns and three interceptions, so he's certainly capable. But for Columbia to make noise this year he has to stay healthy. He missed five games two years ago and three last fall.
Columbia should have one of the better rushing attacks in the Ivy League this fall after 6-foot-2, 225-pound Michael Walters bulled his way for 534 yards last year as a freshman and Griffin Johnson added 418 with a team-high 5.0 yards per carry. Keep an eye out for 5-11 speedster Jahmir Pitcher. Goodwin can run as well, but expect Poppe to make sure he knows when to slide.
Injury news can be even harder to ferret out in the Ivy League than elsewhere so how seriously top receiver Titus Evans is injured is unknown at this point. But if he's lost for the season, it will be a huge blow after he caught 46 passes for 584 yards and six touchdowns last year. Beckett Robinson averaged a healthy 16.8 yards on 16 catches over five games last fall with two touchdowns. Hutch Crow, who caught three touchdown passes in six games last fall before being hurt against Dartmouth, could help fill the gap.
Up front, Columbia has just two returnees who started against the Big Green but does have a third lineman who has seen extensive action. Leading the way is 6-5, 300-pound guard Nik Winzer.
On the defensive side, Columbia welcomes back four of its five leading tacklers.
The best news is that the secondary returns intact with Caleb Solomon, who had 73 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception leading the way. At linebacker, Charlie Newton is back after posting 62 tackles a year ago with Liam Donagher adding 43. Drew Burmeister is now a battle-tested veteran after making 38 stops with 4.5 for a loss in nine games last year as a freshman.
The Lions will miss defensive end Justin Townsend, the program's all-time sack leader who had 8.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss a year ago, but they are high on junior Keller Patterson, who had 26 tackles a year ago.
Punter Tommy Sleeman is a weapon after averaging 42.7 yards last fall.
