Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Size:
Height: 6’1” | Weight: 182 lbs
Accomplishments:
All-ACC Honorable Mention (2022)
“Mansoor Delane is a versatile, high football IQ cornerback whose calm and physical demeanor showcases itself in every facet of the game.”
Strengths:
Football IQ
Tackler
Assignment sound
Deceleration
Ball tracking at all levels
Concerns:
Frame
High-cut transitions
180-degree turn in man/bail
Film Analysis:
Mansoor Delane had an impressive freshman campaign and earned a reputation for himself in eight games played with four starts. He nearly redshirted his freshman year but was clearly talented when he got on the field. He recorded eight pass breakups in those eight games, with 38 tackles (17 solo), an interception, and two forced fumbles. His physical nature showed through and Delane garnered attention from multiple all-freshman teams.
When he entered his sophomore season, he was well known. He gave up 20 catches on 38 targets as quarterbacks would instead test other defenders in the secondary. He bumped up his involvement with 13 starts, 54 tackles (31 solo), and added another interception. He’ll be looking to add more ball production in 2024.
Delane is comfortable in any position he’s asked to play in, from deep safety to nickel corner. He’s a good athlete with natural movement skills, a smooth backpedal, and can stop and start instantly. His eyes are a weapon to his game; quickly identifying the football on play-action allows him to stay in phase with his coverage responsibility or attack downhill against the run. Delane’s acceleration gives him an upper hand, forcing running backs inside at the boundary and closing the gap quickly at the short and intermediate levels of the field. He uses quick strikes in press coverage to throw off timing and stay on top of receivers vertically. As a zone defender, he sees route concepts, understands proper depth, and is minimally out of position.
The physicality is everywhere, but he plays much bigger than 182 pounds in the run game. Willing to come downhill and deliver hits, he’s a sure tackler with excellent technique. He showcased the versatility to play safety against Florida State, playing there and at cornerback.
Although his 6-foot-1 frame is ideal, he looks slighter than his listed weight, particularly in his lower half. Bigger receivers took advantage of this through the stem and at the top of the route with slight push-offs to create separation. He’s a high-cut transition corner, which adds slightly more time to his ability to turn and run from press-man coverage or in bail technique. He also turns 180 degrees in bail too often and will lose sight of the receiver for a split second. He’s quick, but quicker and smarter receivers will take advantage of that.
Overall, Delane possesses such a high level of football IQ and can add more mass to his frame to better withstand bigger receivers, so his upside is relatively high. He competes with every receiver he’s matched up against and isn’t going to give up.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Winning Starter
Written By: Daniel Harms
