Lankford played wide receiver, defensive back, kicker, punter, and also served as a kickoff and punt returner for Paxon School for Advanced Studies. He also lettered in track and field Lankford then attended the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, where he played 43 games and recorded 70 receptions for 1,014 receiving yards.
He also played as a punter, averaging 39.4 yards on 19 punts.
As a junior in 2012, Lankford led the team in receiving yards (469) and touchdowns (5).
He played college football for Illinois and signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2014. Lankford was not drafted in 2014. He signed with the Miami Dolphins on May 11, 2014, and was waived four days later.
On May 18, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts.
Greg Moore was waived to make room for Lankford. He was waived on August 30, and resigned to the practice squad on September 1.
On January 19, 2015, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Colts. Lankford"s father, Paul, played cornerback for the Miami Dolphins from 1982 to 1991.
