Five Lions Earn Phil Steele Preseason All-Ivy League Second Team Honors
8/4/2026 10:38:00 AM | Football
Evans, Newton, Patterson, Sleeman and Luke Walker picked up the accolades, announced Monday
NEW YORK – Five members of the Columbia football program have been recognized on the 2026 Phil Steele Preseason All-Ivy League Second Team. Junior defensive lineman Keller Patterson, junior punter Tommy Sleeman, senior wide receiver Titus Evans, senior linebacker Charlie Newton and sophomore defensive lineman Luke Walker each earned preseason recognition following strong performances during the 2025 season.
Evans earned preseason recognition after finishing as one of the Ivy League's top receivers in 2025. He ranked third in the conference in receiving touchdowns and fifth in receptions per game while catching 46 passes for 584 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games. Evans posted a season-high eight receptions for 93 yards at Princeton and hauled in six catches for 111 yards and a touchdown against Lehigh, including a season-long 74-yard reception. He also recorded two touchdowns against Harvard.
Newton, one of two team captains in 2026, started all 10 games and led a productive season with 62 total tackles. He recorded an interception against Georgetown and posted a season-high 12 tackles at Lafayette. Newtown also finished with 11 tackles against Harvard.
Patterson appeared in all 10 games and totaled 26 tackles, including 11 solo stops and 15 assisted tackles. He registered a sack against Brown, made four tackles at Dartmouth and posted a season-high seven tackles at Princeton, where he also recovered a fumble.
Sleeman returns after earning All-Ivy League Second Team honors in 2025. The junior punted 48 times for 2,048 yards, averaging 42.7 yards per kick. His longest punt traveled 65 yards. He placed 10 punts inside the 20-yard line and registered nine punts of at least 50 yards.
Walker, who is expected to see his production increase after the graduation of Justin Townsend and Joshua Powell, rounds out the group after appearing in all 10 games during his sophomore season. He recorded eight tackles, highlighted by a season-high two tackles against Penn. Walker also contributed 1.5 tackles for loss and one pass deflection.
Stay up to date with all things Columbia Football by following @CULionsFB on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and online at GoColumbiaLions.com.
Evans earned preseason recognition after finishing as one of the Ivy League's top receivers in 2025. He ranked third in the conference in receiving touchdowns and fifth in receptions per game while catching 46 passes for 584 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games. Evans posted a season-high eight receptions for 93 yards at Princeton and hauled in six catches for 111 yards and a touchdown against Lehigh, including a season-long 74-yard reception. He also recorded two touchdowns against Harvard.
Newton, one of two team captains in 2026, started all 10 games and led a productive season with 62 total tackles. He recorded an interception against Georgetown and posted a season-high 12 tackles at Lafayette. Newtown also finished with 11 tackles against Harvard.
Patterson appeared in all 10 games and totaled 26 tackles, including 11 solo stops and 15 assisted tackles. He registered a sack against Brown, made four tackles at Dartmouth and posted a season-high seven tackles at Princeton, where he also recovered a fumble.
Sleeman returns after earning All-Ivy League Second Team honors in 2025. The junior punted 48 times for 2,048 yards, averaging 42.7 yards per kick. His longest punt traveled 65 yards. He placed 10 punts inside the 20-yard line and registered nine punts of at least 50 yards.
Walker, who is expected to see his production increase after the graduation of Justin Townsend and Joshua Powell, rounds out the group after appearing in all 10 games during his sophomore season. He recorded eight tackles, highlighted by a season-high two tackles against Penn. Walker also contributed 1.5 tackles for loss and one pass deflection.
Stay up to date with all things Columbia Football by following @CULionsFB on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and online at GoColumbiaLions.com.
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