Prime Secondary

credit: Columbia Football Twitter account

Columbia's defensive backs may have an even stronger argument than the linebackers that they are indeed the best overall unit on this team. There is already a good mix of experience and talent to get excited about.

Team leader Ben Mathiasmeier will return as a 5th year senior at strong safety in a big boost to the team's on the field talent and overall morale. He's joined by another 5th year senior in Will Allen at one of the cornerback spots. These are two very strong All-Ivy contenders. 

Slightly under the radar for some Lions fans are three other important returnees. Senior cornerback Fara'ad McCombs has extensive playing time and one start under his belt already. His talent is something the coaches often rave about, but he became one of my favorites when I noticed he was dancing to keep warm in between plays during the win over Yale in 2018! 

Senior Jordan Colbert has seven career starts in his career at safety, including having been the starting weak side safety to start 2019. 

Junior CB Bryan Bell-Anderson broke into the two-deep very early in his freshman year and should be a factor as well. When I noticed that his extended family was coming up to NYC for his games in 2019, I realized he was likely to become an impact starter soon enough. 

Senior Ryan Rhoden has never started, but he has seen action in 17 total games in just two seasons. Senior Derric Lee, who I thought would be an impact player when he committed has some game experience as well. 

Some of the other returnees like seniors Graham Flinn and Chris Park and junior Rallan Peace have at least seen the field on special teams and been on the road travel teams. 

Of course when you see all these returning DB's with so much experience it tells you three things: 1) CU has multiple 5th year seniors 2) CU suffered a lot of DB injuries over 2018 and 2019 3) CU uses a lot of DB's on its special teams. But if the injury bug subsides this season, none of those are bad things. 

Among the newcomers, freshman Jackson Wallace looks like an amazing hitter and perhaps a steal in the recruiting game. Fellow freshman Lucas Mireur might be even better. 

It's really hard not to be encouraged by the secondary for the Lions this coming season. But they will certainly be tested as the CU D-line is very raw.