Around the Ivy: A look at COLUMBIA

COLUMBIA

Last year’s record: 3-7 (2-5 Ivy League)

About the Lions: Like Tony Reno, Columbia Pete Mangurian is hoping the program makes significant strides in his second year as head coach.

Perhaps the most intriguing storyline at Columbia is quarterback Brett Nottingham. He is a transfer from Stanford and has two years of eligibility left. He saw action in six games backing up Andrew Luck as a red-shirt freshman and played in two games as a sophomore. Nottingham, 6-4, 215 lbs., was ranked the fourth-best pro-style QB coming out of high school by Rivals.com.

Mangurian describes Nottingham as a pocket passer. He has strong pocket movement and awareness, but not the type of QB that will rush for a bunch of yards. He’s a good decision maker and capable of making a lot of different throws.

“Coming from a great program (at Stanford) and his background and all the things he’s accomplished and the way the young man handles himself, I thought he was the perfect fit for us. He’ll have an opportunity, but he needs to learn our system. It doesn’t come over night. It takes time. I know he’ll diligently work at it. We’ll see how it turns out and we’re not going to make any conclusions until things are proven.”