2021 Football Offense Preview

Photo by: Columbia University Athletics/Mike McLaughlin

8/27/2021 1:15:00 PM | Football

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Six starters return from a 2019 Columbia offensive unit that averaged 297.4 yards, 17.6 first downs, and completed 59 percent of its passes.

NEW YORK—Columbia's offense enters the 2021 season counting on a group of returnees and impressive newcomers to help bolster a unit led by Offensive Coordinator Mark Fabish.

Under Fabish, Columbia has built some of the most successful, creative, efficient, and dynamic offensive units in the school's football history. Fabish's hybrid spread offenses have averaged 317.2 yards per game and completed 57.4 percent (951-1655) of its passes over the last five seasons. Despite suffering a variety of key injuries at many positions during the 2019 season, Columbia still produced 297.4 yards and 17.6 first downs per game.

Columbia's 2021 offensive unit returns six total starters from the 2019 team, along with a large group of players with experience. Those players who were first-years in 2019, along with newcomers from two recruiting classes, will need to step and contribute.

At quarterback, Ty Lenhart is back with the most experience. The senior started the final six games of the 2019 season and emerged as a dual-threat leader, throwing for 1278 yards and eight touchdowns and rushing for 193 yards and three touchdowns. Other players who are back include John Foreback and Caden Bell, and a host of newcomers who will challenge for playing time.

The running game appears to be in good shape as the Lions return players who accumulated 87 percent (954 of 1,092) of Columbia's rushing yards and 100 percent (all 11) of its rushing touchdowns during the 2019 season. Three running backs with speed and skill are back in Ryan Young (460 yards, 2TD), Dante Miller (150 yards, 1TD), and Broderick Taylor (118 yards, 1TD). Each brings a different skill-set into the equation. The group is also bolstered by some talented newcomers.

At wide receiver, Columbia returns 2019's second-leading pass-catcher in Mike Roussos. The multi-dimensional and two-time First Team All-Ivy League selection, Roussos caught 35 passes for 395 yards and a TD, rushed for four touchdowns, and totaled 1,308 all-purpose yards as a sophomore. Also back is Emerson Kabus (44 career receptions for 446 yards, 1TD), who missed the entire 2019 season after suffering a preseason injury, and Ernest Robertson. A host of juniors and newcomers will look to contribute in the upcoming season.

The tight end group is deep and experienced with Casey Mariucci and Brandon Radice leading the way. Several others should emerge as contributors as tight end production and depth continues to increase with every season.

Columbia's offensive line, which was hit hard by injuries early in the 2019 season, boasts four players who have seen extensive action. Zach Minch (10 consecutive starts) and Will Hamilton (eight starts) are both back after playing key roles in 2019. Stew Newblatt, who was a starter after suffering a season-ending injury in the first game of the 2019 season, is back, along with center Tyler Worrell, who gained valuable experience as a backup and on special teams. Along with a group of returnees, the Lions beefed up with 11 newcomers featuring size and strength.

Key losses from Columbia's 2019 team include First Team All-Ivy League tight end Rory Schlageter (24 catches, 239 yards, 1TD), All-Ivy League receiver Josh Wainwright (46 catches, 571 yards, 5TD), and offensive lineman Joe Scowden (16 career starts). Schlageter had a spectacular 2019 season, Wainwright, with 170 career receptions for 2,133 yards, and 18 receiving touchdowns, will go down as one of the top receivers in school history, and Scowden was a three-year contributor.

Below is a position-by-position look at the 2021 Columbia Lions' Offense:

OFFENSIVE PERSONNEL ROSTER

QUARTERBACK (8 players)
Quarterbacks Coach: Ryan Larsen

Ty Lenhart, Sr.
Played in 19 career games with nine starts at quarterback…Emerged as starting quarterback as a first-year, started six games as a sophomore, and has guided the Lions to a 4-5 record as a starter…Over two-year career, completed 60 percent of his passes (201-335) for 2,056 yards, nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions, rushed for 202 yards on 114 carries and nine touchdowns…Four career 200-yard passing games…Named the John Toner Homecoming Player of the Game vs. Penn in 2019 after combining for three touchdowns and 253 total yards while completing 14 of 20 passes for 158 yards and rushing for 95 yards and two touchdowns…Completed 60.5 percent (127-210) of his passes for 1,278 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore in 2019…Threw for 778 yards, a touchdown and completed 59.2 percent of passes (74-125), rushed for six touchdowns and nine yards on 40 carries as a first-year in 2018…Named Columbia's team Freshman of the Year.

John Foreback, Sr.
Saw action in two games as a sophomore in 2019…Listed as the backup quarterback on the depth chart in 2019…In career, completed four of eight passes for 34 yards with one interception…Sat out his first-year in 2018 recovering from injury.

Caden Bell, Jr.
Served primarily on the scout team in 2019.

Newcomers: Joe Green, So., Transfer from San Diego State; Austin Grier, Fr.; Gabriel Hollingsworth, Fr.; Kristopher Jenner, So.; EJ Kreutzmann, So.

Players Lost from 2020 Roster: Josh Bean, Dillon Davis.

RUNNING BACK (8 players)
Running Backs Coach: Joe D'Orazio

Ryan Young, Sr.
Preseason Third Team All-Ivy League selection…Played in 19 career games with 10 starts at running back…Led Lions in rushing in two consecutive seasons (2018 and 2019)…In two years, rushed for 825 yards and four touchdowns on 204 carries (4.0 yards per carry) and has caught 24 passes for 18 yards and two touchdowns…Rushed for 460 yards and two touchdowns on 106 carries (4.3 average) with two touchdowns as a sophomore in 2019…Scored touchdowns on runs of 65 yards and 49 yards…Ranked No. 3 on team in 2019 in all purpose yardage…Emerged as starter during his first-year after injuries to several other players…As a first-year running back, led Lions in rushing (365 yards on 98 carries and two touchdowns) and also caught 11 passes for 74 yards and two touchdowns…Ivy League Rookie of the Week honoree on Oct. 29.

Dante Miller, Sr.
Played in 16 games with three starts…In career has rushed for 467 yards on 113 carries with two touchdowns and a 4.1 average yards per carry…Also has caught 11 passes for three yards…Career-long run of 83 yards vs. Central Connecticut State in 2018 ranks as the sixth-longest in school history…Rushed for 317 yards on 61 carries for a team-best 5.2 average as a first-year in 2018…Suffered a season-ending injury after playing in six games as a first-year…Also competes for Columbia's track and field team as a sprinter.

Broderick Taylor, Sr.
Fifth-year senior who has played in eight games with one start…Finished junior season in 2019 with 118 yards rushing on 43 carries (2.7 yards per carry) and one touchdown, caught six passes for 31 yards and one touchdown…Ended year with 149 all-purpose yards…Sidelined with injuries during his first two seasons at Columbia.

Newcomers: Ty'son Edwards, Fr.; Joey Giorgi, Fr.; Jake Langdon, Fr.; Jarom Miller, Fr.; Nicolas Nesbitt, Fr.

Players Lost from 2020 Roster: Marquavious Moore, Jalen Allen, Alexander Filacouris

WIDE RECEIVER (15 players)
Wide Receivers Coach: Jerry Taylor

Mike Roussos, Sr.
Preseason Third Team All-Ivy League wide receiver selection…Unanimous preseason All-America selection as a return specialist … Unanimous Third Team All-America selection in 2019…Two-time First Team All-Ivy League honoree as a return specialist (2018 and 2019)…Caught 38 career passes for 407 yards and one touchdown, scored a total of eight touchdowns (four rushing, one receiving, three returns)…Led Ivy League in four statistical categories as a sophomore in 2019…Led Lions with 1,308 all-purpose yards, ranked second in receptions (35) and receiving yards (395) and totaled six games of 100 or more all-purpose yards in 2019…Has seen action in 18 career games with 10 consecutive starts at wide receiver.

Emerson Kabus, Sr.
Fifth-year senior…Played in 20 career games with four starts…Over career, registered 44 receptions for 446 yards and one touchdown (9.9 average per catch) in career…Has two career 100-yard receiving games…Missed entire 2019 season after suffering injury in preseason training camp…Ranked third on 2018 squad in receptions (23-201 yards) as a sophomore in 2018…Ranked fourth on the squad in receptions with 21 for 245 yards and a touchdown as a first-year in 2017…Long reception was a 65-yarder.

Ernest Robertson, Sr.
Fifth-year senior…In 10-game career, caught five passes for 54 yards…Two-sport athlete at Columbia as he also competes as a high jumper on the track and field team.

Jack Ertz, Jr.
Saw action in six games as a first-year wide receiver and on special teams in 2019…Listed on the 2019 depth chart as a backup wide receiver…Has one career reception for four yards and contributed three tackles on special teams.

Cameron Burt, Jr.
Saw action in two games as a first-year wide receiver and on special teams in 2019…One career reception for 17 yards.

JJ Jenkins, Jr.
Alex Thompson, Jr.
Jayden Rolle, Jr.

Newcomers: Bryson Canty, Fr.; Chase Harleston, Fr.; Marcus Libman, Fr.; Terrell Long, Fr.; Wills Meyer, So.; Isaac Silva, So.; Nico Valencia, So.

Players Lost from 2020 Roster: Josh Wainwright, Darion Acohido, Myles Davis.

TIGHT END (10 players)
Tight Ends Coach: Mark Fabish

Casey Mariucci, Jr.
Preseason Second Team All-Ivy League selection…Played in 20 career games with three starts…In career, has caught 18 passes for 239 yards (13.3 average) and two touchdowns...Had eight receptions for 95 yards as a sophomore in 2019…Earned team's Lou Little Coaches Most Improved Award as a first-year in 2018…Caught 10 passes for 144 yards with two touchdowns as a first-year in 2018.

Brandon Radice, Sr.
Has played in 10 career games, all as a sophomore in 2019…Listed as backup tight end all season long in 2019...Caught one career pass.

Jackson Heath, Sr.
Has played in two career games at tight end.

Luke Painton, Jr.
Cole Matthiesen, Jr.

Newcomers: Dominic Busby, So.; Jack Larsen, Fr.; James Miller, So.; Charlie Sessa, Fr.; Pat Wade, Fr.

Players Lost from 2020 Roster: None.

OFFENSIVE LINE (19 players)
Offensive Line Coach: Jon McLaughlin

Zach Minch, Sr.
Started 10 career and consecutive games at left guard…Started all 10 games at left guard as a sophomore in 2019.

Stew Newblatt, Sr.
Has seen action in 11 career games with one start…Started the season opener at right guard during his sophomore season before suffering a season-ending injury…Played in all 10 games on the offensive line and on special teams as a first-year in 2018.

Will Hamilton, Jr.
Saw action in nine games with eight starts as a first-year offensive lineman…Emerged as the starter at right guard and started the season's final eight games in 2019.

Tyler Worrell, Sr.
Played in six games as a sophomore in 2019…Listed as backup center on the offensive depth chart all season long.

David Sawyer, Jr.
Matt Klenk, Jr.
Conner Collins, Sr.
Andrew Pruske, Jr.

Newcomers: Braeden Bellmer, So.; Pat Colicchio, Fr.; John Iannuzzi, Fr.; Noah Layton, So., Noah Mallard, So.; John Martin, Fr.; Zach Mills, So.; Judge Niland, Fr.; Patrick Passalacqua, Fr.; Augustus Rice, Fr.; Greer Rush, Fr.

Players Lost from 2020 Roster: Joseph Scowden, Isaac Werkman, Josh Kaminski, Jonathan Rowe, Hank White, Peter Wise, Seth Devary