If the past year is any indication, Joel Lanning’s role may never be clearly defined.

He started the 2016 season as Iowa State’s obvious starting quarterback. When Jacob Park emerged as a capable contender and eventually won the starting job before the end of the season, Lanning’s role for 2017 was up in the air.

During spring practice, Lanning moved to linebacker. He even picked off a Jacob Park pass and took it to the endzone for a touchdown.

Lanning entered fall camp as the No. 1 MIKE linebacker. At media day two weeks ago, coach Matt Campbell said Lanning would also play offense in 2017, possibly at quarterback.

Tuesday, linebackers coach Tyson Veidt said Lanning played quarterback during practice earlier in the day.

“I’ve gotten a lot of reps at linebacker but I’ve also been getting quite a few reps at quarterback and some other positions too,” Lanning said.

Rarely do players see consistent playing time on both sides of the ball. Maybe the most famous example in recent years is Myles Jack, who played three seasons at UCLA from 2013-15. As a freshman, Jack recorded 75 tackles as a linebacker and 267 rushing yards as a running back, along with seven rushing touchdowns and a pick-six.

That kind of balance is rare because of the amount of practice the player has to miss at one spot or the other.

“He’s one of our best players,” Veidt said. “We’re going to rely on him to do a lot of different things for us. He’s certainly accepted that challenge. He’s physically ready to do it and we’ll get as much mileage out of him as we can.”

Because of that, Lanning doesn’t even know what position he will play on a given day until he shows up to the practice facility in the morning. Remembering playbooks and keeping track of both units is a tough task, but Lanning’s experience with the offense last season has helped.

“I still remember the offense quite a bit from last year,” Lanning said. “They put in a few new things that I had to learn but nothing crazy. I really wasn’t worried about the offense because I still have those plays in my head. The mental part of it for the defense is kind of tricky… but I have a good hang of it now.”

The good news, Veidt said, is some of the backup linebackers get more reps with the starters.

“Naturally it does [change the way we practice],” Veidt said. “For sure. The good part about it with these guys that are battling for the second team spot, they get a chance to get more reps, they get a chance to be in different situations and have a chance to naturally compete for that.”

The other linebackers have been enjoying it, too.

Willie Harvey, who has been involved in the battle for the No. 7 jersey with Lanning, said he doesn’t mind when Lanning crosses over to the offensive side of the ball during practice.

“I thought it was pretty funny today just seeing him on the other side of the ball,” Harvey said. “Nothing really changed, somebody else stepped in and took the role.”

And for tackling Lanning when he’s playing quarterback? The linebackers aren’t supposed to tackle the quarterbacks, but Harvey might make an exception for his linebacker partner.

“He is [off limits],” Harvey said. “But not to me.”