One of the most electrifying players in program history, Austin Knowlin left an indelible mark on the Columbia football program. The product out of Newington, Connecticut, made an immediate impact as a first-year and can be found all over the Lions’ record book to this day.
In 2006, Knowlin emerged as Columbia’s No. 1 option out of the passing game and led the team with 44 receptions for 553 yards and four touchdowns on his way to being named Ivy League Rookie of the Year. He posted a pair of 100-yard receiving games and was the conference rookie of the week on three occasions.
Knowlin just about doubled his production as a sophomore with an Ivy League-best 988 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Additionally, he proved to be a weapon in the return game, averaging 17 yards per run-out. Knowlin garnered honorable mention All-America status and first-team All-Ivy League honors for the first time in his career.
As a junior, his prowess on returns guided him to another All-America selection after leading the Ivy League and ranking second in FCS in punt returns (18.5 yards per return), highlighted by two 76-yard touchdowns in back-to-back games against Cornell and Harvard.
Knowlin continued to make an impact as a senior, becoming Columbia’s all-time leading receiver in receptions (210) and receiving yards (2,484), and picked up All-Ivy League honors for the third consecutive year. A model of consistency, Knowlin made a catch in all but one game in his four-year career and had a streak of 36 straight games with a reception, which remains the program record to date.
Additionally, Knowlin’s 4,356 all-purpose yards are second all-time among Columbia’s leaders in punt and kickoff return yardage.
