Lansman passes on pro hoops, earns pro day invite
KEARNEY, Neb. — Trey Lansman is one of the best athletes to come through the Nebraska–Kearney ranks in some time.
The four–year starter with Loper basketball had options after his playing career came to a close at UNK. Agents and teams were contacting the Harlan, Iowa native to play professional ball in Europe.
At the time, hoops so far from home wasn't for him.
"Well, it wasn't the NBA, it was overseas stuff," Lansman says.
So he spurned those opportunities and decided to give football a go.
"It's been fun, honestly," said Lansman. "I tried spring ball just thinking, 'Hey, I'll give it a shot. If I stink, I won't go out in the fall.' But I did pretty well."
The spring success was similar come fall. In one season, he became UNK's top target with a team–best 19 receptions and two touchdowns, averaging 18.5 yards per catch, second best among the Lopers. This all came on a run-first offense which ranked No. 9 in Division II with 268.9 rushing yards per game.
At the conclusion of the 2018 season, Lansman was on to the next chapter.
"I moved on to student-teaching," Lansman said. Or so he thought.
The 6-foot-6 inch wide receiver parlayed his size, athleticism and lone go as a wide out into a Nebraska pro day invitation last week.
"I wasn't planning on going to a pro day," admits Lansman. "Originally it was the (Minnesota) Vikings who called coach (Scott) Lewis and he called me and told me about it.
"I think it was the Cardinals and Rams that actually called UNL and got me in there."
NFL scouts are pegging him as a pass catching tight end. Teams like the Atlanta Falcons and Kansas City Chiefs spoke with him after the March 7 workout. Lansman hopes to follow the footsteps of guys like Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez (who played for the Chiefs and Falcons) and Jimmy Graham who starred in college hoops before taking on a new slot in the athletic realm.
Former Loper defensive back Malik Webb also got an invite to the Nebraska pro day.
The 2019 NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 25 and runs through the 27th. After the draft, teams can sign free agents and see if anyone is worthy of a roster spot.
