Lane Kiffin, the LSU head coach, has been making waves with his recent shoutout to Mansoor Delane, a standout cornerback heading to the NFL draft. Kiffin took to Twitter, sharing a CBS Sports mock draft and reminiscing about the strategic moves Ole Miss had to make last season to avoid Delane's coverage.
“We aren’t going to throw at you all day so you can chill #4,” Kiffin quipped, tagging LSU Football. This move sparked some intrigue, as it’s not every day you see a coach openly discussing past game plans while promoting a former player.
Delane, who is projected to go 12th overall to the Dallas Cowboys in Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock draft, has certainly earned the attention. Last season, he allowed just 13 catches for 147 yards over 358 pass coverage snaps.
His defensive prowess was unmatched, leading the SEC with 13 passes defended and 11 breakups. After transferring from Virginia Tech, Delane became only the fourth defensive back in LSU history to earn unanimous All-American honors.
The Cowboys, in need of bolstering their secondary after parting ways with Trevon Diggs, could find Delane to be the perfect fit. His ability to shut down receivers and make game-changing plays is precisely what Dallas needs.
Meanwhile, LSU is navigating a period of transition under Kiffin. Mark Schlabach’s “Way-Too-Early” All-America Team for ESPN lists only one Tiger, linebacker Whit Weeks, a stark contrast to last year when Delane was the sole All-American from LSU.
Weeks, despite battling injuries in 2025, showcased flashes of brilliance with standout performances against Ole Miss and South Carolina. His 2024 season was remarkable, leading the SEC with 61 solo tackles and accumulating 125 total tackles.
Tight end Trey’Dez Green and offensive tackle Jordan Seaton, both highlighted in Schlabach’s “also considered” group, are players to watch. Green’s dynamic receiving skills should thrive under the offensive strategies of Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr. Meanwhile, Seaton, a freshman All-American in 2024 at Colorado, is looking to rebound after a challenging season.
As LSU continues to adapt and evolve, the legacy of players like Delane and the potential of talents like Weeks, Green, and Seaton keep the Tigers’ future bright.