Card: Topps AAF 2019
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 5/13 Received: 6/3 (21 days)

Joel Lanning was originally a quarterback at Iowa State from 2015-2017. He was a dual threat for the Cyclones both on the ground and through the air. In 2017, Lanning switched to middle linebacker and worked his way up to the starting lineup! He ended up leading the team in total tackles with 114, picked off a pass, and had a fumble recovery. He also was called upon to run the Wildcat for the Cyclones. With the bulk of his stats on offense coming in 2015 and 2016, Joel finished his college career 209/366 (57.1%) 2584 yards, 20 TDs to 7 interceptions. He also rushed 255 times for 983 yards and 17 TDs.

Joel was a free agent signee of the Dallas Cowboys in 2018 but did not make the final squad. An intriguing prospect nonetheless, Lanning later signed with the AAF that year and was a starter on the San Antonio Commanders defense until the league folded. -He recorded 28 tackles.

I had gotten Joel’s autograph previously at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Signing, but this Topps card missed out on that signing by just a few days. After getting the entire set, I doubled down attempting to flag down any Commanders player through Twitter to stop by the visitors end zone, but the league folded before I could get them to show up. It was fairly easy to track Joel down TTM and he signed this card in no time flat.