Langer played middle linebacker at South Dakota State University, where in 1969 he was Honorable Mention All-America. After graduating with a B.S. in economics, he was signed by the Cleveland Browns as a free agent in 1970, but was cut during training camp. Langer was picked up on waivers by the Dolphins and, after spending most of the year on the taxi squad, played in the final five games of 1970, mainly on special teams. After serving as a backup at center the following season, he won the starting job in 1972, and he would hold that job until he was sidelined with a knee injury in 1979.