Joel Lanning picks up another All-America honor

Iowa+State+linebacker+Joel+Lanning+celebrates+scoring+a+touchdown+before+learning+that+the+play+would+not+count.+A+holding+penalty+was+called+on+the+play.

Chris Jorgensen/Iowa State Daily

Iowa State linebacker Joel Lanning celebrates scoring a touchdown before learning that the play would not count. A holding penalty was called on the play.

Aaron Marner

Senior Iowa State linebacker Joel Lanning made national headlines this season as he played both sides of the football, and now that the regular season is finally completed, he’s picked up honors and awards left and right.

Monday, Lanning was named a First-Team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America.

Iowa natives make up two-thirds of the linebackers on the First-Team All-America roster, since Iowa linebacker Josey Jewell (Decorah) and Lanning (Ankeny) both received first-team honors.

Lanning led the team with 110 tackles on the season and tied for the team lead with five sacks. He also grabbed one interception and recovered a fumble.

Offensively, Lanning threw for one touchdown and ran for another.

Lanning and the Cyclones will take on Memphis in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Dec. 30 at 11:30 a.m.