COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: Day 7

Nov 19, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Joel Lanning (7) reacts after scoring one of his five touchdowns against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jack Trice Stadium. The Cyclones beat the Red Raiders 66-10. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

One week left until Iowa State’s season opener against Northern Iowa and there is one question still hanging in the air. Who will wear No. 7 for the Cyclones this season?

The battle for the number has lasted all through fall camp since senior Joel Lanning made the permanent move to linebacker alongside junior Willie Harvey. No matter who gets the number permanently, we know it will have a great deal of production alongside of it.

Lanning has already accumulated 3,385 yards of total offense and 34 touchdowns during his career in Ames. He has an opportunity to make those numbers even more impressive if he can be among the team’s leading tacklers at the end of the 2017 season. Plus, he will likely still get some opportunities behind center.

Harvey enters the 2017 season with 137 career tackles, 10.5 of them for a loss, and five sacks. He tied for the team lead with 78 tackles in 2016.

It seems like only a matter of time before Lanning is officially given the No. 7 jersey for this season, but the battle to earn it has been a fun, goofy storyline during fall camp.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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