Southern Illinoise University Athletics
John Lantz gives Salukis a reliable possession-receiver
08/05/2013 | 12:00:00 | Football
Aug. 5, 2013
By Tom Weber
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Playing a position that almost requires top-end speed, Southern Illinois wide receiver John Lantz admits he isn't one of the fastest guys on the team. That hasn't stopped him from being one of the most productive.
The fifth-year senior has caught 52 passes the last two seasons -- not a jaw-dropping number, but second only to LaSteven McKinney's 59 catches among the Saluki receiving corps. In fact, Lantz and McKinney are the only two returning wideouts who caught passes last season.
Lantz is a lock to start at one of the three receiver spots in 2013. He runs only slightly better than a 4.6 40-yard dash, yet the Springfield native has many other tools at his disposal. During Monday morning's practice, he used a triple-move to glide by SIU's top cornerback, Terrell Wilson, and haul in a 50-yard bomb.
"I have to win my routes with technique, changes of paces," Lantz explained. "I've gotten better at it with the years of experience. I know I'm not going to run past everyone in this league. I have to find ways to get open and make plays on the ball."
Solidly built at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Lantz is a classic "possession" receiver. He has a knack for finding open spaces in the zone. He catches virtually everything within his reach. Most importantly, he's developed a close chemistry with starting quarterback and roommate Kory Faulkner, also a fifth-year senior.
"We worked really hard this summer on our ability to check to a different play or run a hot route," Lantz said. "Kory's been a great leader for us this summer and really improved in that area. The guys are believing in him, trusting in him. He's really making good checks and calls out here so far."
The Salukis ranked in the middle of the pack last year in both scoring offense and passing -- two statistics that must improve for SIU to contend for a Missouri Valley Football Conference title. Southern has a number of talented but inexperienced receivers, such as Josh Sullivan, Billy Reed, Kennington Easley and Jamal Flowers, and the team needs one or two of them to step up this season.
"We have some really good young receivers who are still learning but have a bunch of potential," Lantz said.
Lantz, who earned the MVFC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award last season, will graduate this winter with a degree in commercial recreation and plans to start graduate school in the spring in pursuit of a master's degree in sports management.
"I really enjoy sports and can't see myself doing something else," he said.
He inherited a strong work ethic from his father, Mike, who own a construction company in Springfield.
"He's my role model and the hardest-working guy I've ever met," Lantz said. "He never went to college. He grew up in a two-bedroom house with six brothers and a sister, started doing construction work when he was 14, and hasn't stopped since."
While in high school, Lantz worked for his father on construction sites.
"I used to do all the dirty work no one wants to do, like sweep the sawdust," he laughed. "A couple times I got the nail-gun."
Both Mike and Paula Lantz have never missed one of their son's games during the past four years. They even attended every game during his redshirt season.
"The last time we played at South Dakota State, my dad drove up early in the week to go duck hunting," Lantz noted.
John's older brother, Ryan, is also a big fan. He pitched at UT-Martin, now works in St. Louis, and attends most games, sending his brother a motivational text message before every game.
"My family is a blessing to me," Lantz said.
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The temperature was 69 degrees under cloudy skies when the Salukis took the practice field at 8 a.m. this morning. By the end of practice, the temperature was only 72 degrees. Looking at the 10-day forecast, the thermometer is not even supposed to hit 90. After last summer's scorching temperatures, the mild summer temps are a welcome relief to the players, coaches and training staff.
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In accordance with NCAA rules, the team practiced in helmets only today. They will add shoulder pads for Tuesday's and Wednesday's practices, and full gear on Thursday. The first two-a-day session is Friday, and the team will scrimmage at the stadium on Saturday morning.
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The biggest pass plays of the day were completions from Faulkner to Lantz. I counted three plays of 20 or more yards between the duo. On one deep sideline route, Lantz beat cornerback Courtney Richmond and Faulkner laid the ball in his chest in perfect stride.
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Junior running back Mika'il McCall looks like he's in fabulous shape. He had a modest 489 yards rushing for SIU last season with eight TDs and a 3.8 yard average, but you have to wonder if he was at full strength? Remember that he suffered a broken ankle at Iowa in 2011. I think you'll see the real McCall this season.
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Wearing jersey No. 31, Oregon State transfer Malcolm Agnew makes a good first impression. He's short but has an impressive burst to get to the second level. Agnew has a history of hamstring problems, so he's not a guy you want to carry the ball 20 times, but with as much talent as Southern appears to have in the backfield, he won't have to.
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Cornerback Chris Davis, a transfer from El Camino Community College, stood out today. He had an interception, pass breakup and a forced fumble.
