Portal Profile: Faheem Delane

By Hunt Palmer

Mansoor Delane played better than anyone on LSU’s roster in 2025.

He transferred over from Virginia Tech and put DBU back on the map. Delane only allowed two first downs in coverage all season. He was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and had a great case to win it.

His name will be called very early in the upcoming draft, but there will still be a Delane suiting up for the Tigers in 2026.

Enter, Ohio State transfer Faheem Delane

WHAT WE KNOW

When he signed with the Buckeyes, Faheem Delane was a consensus top 100 player and top 10 safety nationally. Every service ranked him a four-star.

He had offers from Virginia Tech, where brother Mansoor played, as well as Oregon, Penn State and LSU.

He’s 6-foot-1 and 210 lbs., and he played in 13 games for Ohio State as a true freshman. On defense, he logged 81 snaps. He was also on kickoff coverage.

Delane arrives at LSU with three years of eligibility remaining.

THE FIT

LSU revitalized its safety play in 2025. AJ Haulcy played at an All-American level, and Tamarcus Cooley was a positive addition. Now Haulcy departs for the professional ranks.

Dashawn Spears played mostly in a dime role in 2025 but excelled in doing so. He recorded a pair of interceptions including a pick six against Florida and was second defensively in LSU’s Pro Football Focus grades to….Mansoor Delane. Spears finished with a 90.1 for the season including 90.3 in coverage, 84.3 in tackling and an 85.7 in run defense. That’s all excellent playing in a limited role.

The fit will be determined by Corey Raymond and more specifically Jake Olson, the safeties coach.

Delane played a little bit more than Jhase Thomas who is the homegrown option. But he has to learn the system.

Those are the legitimate options– Cooley, Spears, Delane, Ty Benefield and Thomas.

HUNT’S PROJECTION

LSU’s secondary is in good shape.

DJ Pickett and PJ Woodland return to anchor the corners. A third corner will have to emerge from the group of Ja’Keem Jackson, Aidan Anding and Havon Finney. At least those are the most likely candidates.

From there, I think it’s Spears playing the STAR and Cooley continuing to use his versatility everywhere. PFF says he essentially split his time between playing in the box (226 snaps), in the slot (267 snaps) and at free safety (278 snaps). Haulcy spent nearly 70 percent of the time at free safety. That’s where Boise State transfer Ty Benefield can come in. It’s also a spot for Delane.

Mansoor Delane and Haulcy moving on hurts. Those were LSU’s best defensive players. But the newly assembled group is high on talent if a touch short on depth.

Faheem Delane could be the “next man up” behind the starters, but that’s not a terrible place to be as a true sophomore. I think he plays defensive snaps in every game next season with a chance to move into a starting role if he performs in practice.