The first time Tom Manning met Allen Lazard, the hulking 6-foot-5 227-pound receiver wore a Lion King t-shirt. The new Iowa State offensive coordinator chuckled to himself, “Hakuna Matata.” With the size, speed, and physical prowess of Lazard, it’s hard to imagine he’d have many worries on a football field, but his road to contributing player on an Aaron Rodgers-led Green Bay Packers offense looking to compete for another Super Bowl win came with hairpin turns and icy roads that belie his talent.
Lazard committed to Iowa State after starring just up the road in Urbandale.