Iowa State spring game solidifies QB Joel Lanning's confidence

AMES — One year made all the difference in how Joel Lanning felt.

Lanning was the third-string signal caller last spring before being elevated to backup in the fall and starter mid-way through the season. His confidence level grew with each snap.

Now Lanning has all eyes on him this spring as the lone contender for starting quarterback. Completing the Iowa State spring game was another step in his journey toward another fall opportunity.

'We were just running some easy plays (Saturday) and just having fun out there,' Lanning said. 'It was just fun to be out there with this atmosphere. It was just crazy there was this many people out here for a spring game.'

Cardinal beat Gold 10-6 before an announced crowd of 15,089 with Lanning's touchdown pass proving to be the difference maker. The junior found wide receiver Dondre Daley for a 47-yard touchdown and was 11-for-19 passing with 161 yards on the day.

Joel Lanning drops in a beautiful 47-yard pass to Dondre Daley for a touchdown! The Cardinal team now leads, 10-6. April 16, 2016

Joel Lanning drops in a beautiful 47-yard pass to Dondre Daley for a touchdown! The Cardinal team now leads, 10-6. https://t.co/Mxg6a8HTS0

— Cyclone Football (@CycloneFB)

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell hasn't wanted to install a large percentage of his playbook as the Cyclones continue to make the transition in the new scheme, but liked what we saw from his quarterback. Campbell hasn't seen the team as a whole rise to the level he wants so far, but said he hasn't had issues with what he's seen at quarterback.

Lanning has shown the offensive staff some of his skill set through 15 spring practices, but Campbell wants to see some of the intangibles manifest even more this summer. Those qualities come in the form of his demeanor in the locker room, weight room and film study.

'That will be the signature moment for Joel Lanning and I think he has that opportunity and he has that empowerment,' Campbell said. 'He's won football games, he's had a good spring, he's really trusted it. Now, what are you going to do in terms of leading those around you?'

This summer, Lanning hopes the progress he wants comes in the form of his accuracy. He had a 55.4 percent completion rate last season, but said he's put in time with quarterbacks coach Jim Hofher to improve his footwork and overall mechanics. Enhancing his fluency with an expanded playbook is also on the to-do list.

'I've got to focus on that heading into the summer, it's the next transition so I've got to work on my feet, get in the film room and do all that stuff,' Lanning said. 'Just keep making myself better for this season.'

Sophomore running back Mike Warren didn't record a carry Saturday — Campbell held him out to prevent injury — while junior receiver Allen Lazard was sidelined with a hand fracture. Saturday's game was about working out some of the new faces, particularly on the offensive line.

Red-shirt freshman Julian Good-Jones, a Cedar Rapids native, took first-team reps at center with Bryce Meeker, also a red-shirt freshman from Cedar Rapids, as his backup.

Good-Jones said he had been working at right tackle until two weeks ago when he was asked to switch to center, which he had never played before. The biggest adjustment has been perfecting a consistent snap, but Good-Jones said he's spent a lot of time with offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Tom Manning to get caught up.

'Usually every day I'll come in, even if we don't have practice that day, I'll come in and we'll talk,' Good-Jones said. 'Even if I don't have class or anything I'll watch film and talk to them and try to get as much as I can in.'

Campbell said he tries to put his best athletes at center because he requires them to be imposing physically inside — Good-Jones is 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds — but also be able to pull outside and block.

'We ask a lot of our center and I felt like Julian just early on, watching him compete in winter workouts, watching his athleticism, he could play probably anywhere across the offensive line,' Campbell said. 'But we thought, 'Hey, let's let him anchor that interior part of it and see what he can do for us.''

l Comments: montzdylan@gmail.com