Starting linebacker job 'his to lose' for Iowa State QB Joel Lanning
Joel Lanning opened the 2016 season as the starting quarterback for Iowa State, and Lanning could very well open 2017 as a starter as well - at middle linebacker, that is.
After losing his starting quarterback job to Jacob Park last season, Lanning appeared to be destined for a backup role as a redshirt senior in 2017, that is, until Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell approached Lanning about a different sort of opportunity.
The opportunity called for the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Lanning to take reps at the linebacker position, and since the switch, Cyclones linebackers coach Tyson Veidt has been convinced that Lanning can crack opening week as a starter, according to Tommy Birch of The Des Moines Register.
"He's the No. 1 middle linebacker for us right now," Veidt said. "(He's) doing a great job there running with the ones. It's certainly his job to lose."
Over the last two seasons, Lanning passed for a total of 2,537 yards and 19 touchdowns, but the recent change of scenery doesn't appear to have affected him, or the coaching staff for that matter.
"I don't think it would shock any of the coaches on the defensive side," Veidt added regarding the odds of Lanning getting the opening week start.