Stephen Lew
By Hunt Palmer
Word is out on Mansoor Delane.
That means PJ Woodland and DJ Pickett are about to be busy men at cornerback for LSU. Delane, the Virginia Tech transfer, was targeted 18 times total over LSU’s first three games of the season against Clemson, Louisiana Tech and Florida.
Teams figured out that was a bad idea. Only four were caught.
Mansoor Delane up to 18 targets/4 receptions/4 pbu/1 int. Best corner in CFB through 3 weeks https://t.co/8jdnbS9eVA pic.twitter.com/SDECkeBRIU
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) September 14, 2025
Over the last three games, Woodland has been targeted 10 times to Delane’s four. Add in Pickett’s six, and you’ve got 16-4 in terms of targets away from and at Delane.
“You come to LSU to be targeted and get reps like that, so I feel like we all have to be ready whenever out name is called, and whenever the play happens to us, we’ve just got to be ready,” Woodland said.
Woodland probably wasn’t ready 14 months ago. He arrived at LSU around 150 pounds. That didn’t stop him from becoming the Mississippi 7-A Defensive Player of the Year or starting the second game of his LSU career. Still, playing SEC football at that size is rarely done beyond kicking.
Woodland has put on nearly 20 pounds since last Labor Day. A heavy diet and plenty of protein shakes has helped him along the way. He’s still on the smaller side at about 170 pounds, but he’s close to his goal of 175.
With a year of experience under his belt, Woodland has emerged as LSU’s No. 2 cornerback behind Delane.
“I just feel like I’m learning something each and every day, each and every practice,” Woodland said. “Just trying to better myself. Whether it’s hitting, tackling, the play at hand. It has allowed me to play faster. Calling out plays like my teammates, understanding different concepts. Things of that nature.”
Delane has been a huge help. He’s rocketing up draft board as a potential first round pick. With that comes the responsibility of handling opposing teams’ top target and passing knowledge on to the younger players.
Delane is part time player, part time tutor.
“Mansoor is a technician,” Woodland said. “Even at practice earlier he was just giving me tips and techniques how to better my press. Basically, just keep your hands down and get your eyes up.”
LSU prided itself on the DBU moniker for years, but that started to slip four years ago. LSU finished 118th in the country in pass defense two seasons ago. Cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond returned home to restore that performance and pride.
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier sensed that coming in August.
“PJ’s a really good player,” Nussmeier said. “His ability to track the ball is pretty special. He makes plays on the ball. I think he’s a really good player. It’s been awesome to grow and get better. I’m very excited to continue to watch him the rest of the year.”
Woodland and co. have combined for seven interceptions in three SEC games, five coming against Raymond’s former team, Florida.
“Funny thing about that, after the Florida game Coach C-Ray was like ‘if y’all want to be DBU, y’all gotta keep it up,’” Woodland said “So we’ve just been working trying to keep that name.”
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