Nine Lions Named to Phil Steele Preseason All-Ivy Football Team

NEW YORK—Led by four First Team selections in junior wide receiver Josh Wainwright, senior defensive back Landon Baty, sophomore kick returner Will Allen and senior long snapper Patrick Eby, nine Columbia football players were named to the 2018 Phil Steele preseason All-Ivy League Team, the online publication announced Friday morning. Earning preseason Second Team honors were junior wide receiver Ronald Smith, junior linebacker Michael Murphy and senior defensive back Ryan Gilbert. Also named to the Third Team were senior offensive lineman Markham Paukune and senior linebacker Sean White. Six of Columbia's preseason picks earned All-Ivy League recognition last season. The team was picked as part of the 2018 Phil Steele FCS Magazine, an online-only magazine which can be purchased through www.philsteele.com. Columbia returns 15 of 22 starters and six All-Ivy League selections from a program that recorded its best season in 21 years. Last year, Columbia posted an 8-2 record, finished second in the Ivy League with a 5-2 record, began a season with six straight wins for the first time since 1996, put together the school's longest win streak since 1935 (seven games) and posted one of the nation's top-five best yearly comebacks in the FCS with a with a five-win improvement from 2016 to 2017. Along the way, it was the Lions' resiliency, toughness and work ethic that captured the attention of their fans, the New York City media and national media members alike. Columbia opens its 2018 season on the road at Central Connecticut State on Saturday, Sept. 15. Columbia players report to campus on August 16 and preseason practice begins on August 18. More details on preseason practice will be announced in the coming weeks. Football season tickets, single-game tickets and 2018-19 True Blue ticket remain on sale! Click here (www.gocolumbialions.com/tickets) or call 888-LIONS-11 to purchase your football single-game tickets, season tickets or True Blue package today!