LSU is making serious noise in the Transfer Portal this offseason, and the Tigers just landed another major piece for their secondary. Former Ohio State safety Faheem Delane is heading to Baton Rouge, giving LSU a young, high-upside defensive back with SEC-ready pedigree - and a familiar last name.
Delane, a former top-100 recruit and one of the nation’s top safety prospects coming out of high school, saw limited action as a true freshman in a loaded Ohio State secondary. He finished the year with 12 tackles, including seven solo stops, but the flashes were there - and LSU clearly sees the potential. Now, he’s the second safety to join the Tigers this offseason, alongside Boise State standout Ty Benefield.
This isn’t just a one-off portal win either. LSU has been stacking these kinds of additions, and this one feels especially meaningful.
Faheem is the younger brother of Mansoor Delane, who transferred to LSU last offseason and blossomed into a top-tier defensive back under Brian Kelly’s staff. Mansoor’s breakout year has him squarely on the radar as a potential first-round NFL Draft pick, and it’s no coincidence that LSU is now bringing in his brother to step into a similar developmental track.
While Lane Kiffin’s name is often synonymous with Transfer Portal success, credit here goes to LSU’s defensive backs coaches Corey Raymond and Jake Olsen. Raymond worked closely with Mansoor this season, helping elevate his game to new heights, while Olsen originally recruited Faheem to Ohio State. That continuity and familiarity clearly played a role in bringing the younger Delane to Baton Rouge.
Faheem’s commitment is also a strong example of a growing trend in the portal era: sometimes, finishing second in a player’s initial recruitment can pay off down the line. LSU was firmly in the mix for Delane coming out of high school and now, a year later, they’ve finally landed their guy.
The Tigers are reloading with purpose. With Delane and Benefield now in the fold, LSU’s safety room is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing position groups on the roster. There’s youth, there’s talent, and there’s a coaching staff that’s shown it knows how to develop DBs into stars.
This is the kind of move that might not dominate headlines today, but come fall, don’t be surprised if Faheem Delane is making big plays in Death Valley - and reminding everyone why he was such a coveted recruit in the first place.