Meet Austen Lane, the pride of Iola-Scandinavia High School and Murray State University and soon-to-be NFL defensive end or outside linebacker. Expect him to be selected in the middle rounds, perhaps as early as the third.
Legitimate NFL candidates have become increasingly scarce in small-town Wisconsin. When one does surface, it’s always a wonder how the story unfolded.
“I don’t think I quite understand how rare it is,” Lane said last week. “Obviously, I stood out in school and everything, not only because I was black but also because of my height. Iola is a great place. The whole town is proud of me and supporting me. I was really blessed to have that.”
Born in Chicago, Lane grew up in Iola after his mother, Julie Maher, went back to her hometown following a divorce when Austen was 2. Austen’s father, Dennis, who played defensive end at UW-Stevens Point, has had infrequent contact with him.
Lane was the scourge of the Central Wisconsin Conference, leading the Thunderbirds to three straight CWC (Small) championships in both football and basketball. He also qualified for the WIAA state track meet in two events as a senior.
He remembers a memorable senior year in which I-S fell to Fond du Lac Springs in the football playoffs and to Manitowoc Roncalli in a Division 3 sectional final in basketball.