Prior to his NFL career, Lansdell played college football at the University of Southern California (USC), filling multiple roles.

The Daily Pilot described Lansdell as "one of the last of the truly great all-around triple-threat stars in college football history".

[7] Lansdell appeared in USC's season opener in 1937 against Pacific as a replacement for an injured player, throwing for two touchdowns; later in the year, he had 117 yards rushing in a 12–12 tie with Oregon State.

In the 1940 Rose Bowl, which concluded the Trojans' 1939 season, Lansdell contributed 51 rushing yards in a 14–0 victory over Tennessee.

Lansdell did not return to football following the war; instead, he piloted flights for Trans World Airlines for more than 30 years.