 He worked for several years in a machine shop, then played his first season of college football at Merritt College and transferred to Utah State University in 1965.Known as "Truck" in Logan, Lane was a linebacker as a sophomore and moved to running back as a junior, and averaged 6.9 yards per carry for his final two seasons.Lane was the 13th overall selection of the 1968 NFL/AFL Draft, taken by the St. Louis Cardinals.