Will Rosenblatt, LSU WireThu, November 27, 2025 at 6:14 PM UTC·1 min readLSU football cornerback was recognized as one of the best cornerbacks in college football this week, being named a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the best defensive back in the sport.
Delane was one of three finalists, joined by Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDelane, a Virginia Tech transfer, has been a revelation for the LSU defense this year. Delane made his presence known in Week 1, when Clemson targeted him eight times and only completed one pass.
Per PFF, Delane is the top-graded corner in the SEC with a defensive grade of 90.9. Delane's passer rating when targeted is 27.5 and ranks No. 2 in the SEC with 12 passes defensed.
Delane has picked off two passes and allowed just 13 catches this fall.
Delane was viewed as a solid defender when he entered the transfer portal, but he's taken his game to a new level at LSU, now viewed as a consensus first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. LSU has a rich history of producing top defensive backs, and Delane's 2025 has been one of the best single seasons we've seen from a LSU corner.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU football cornerback finalist for prestigious award
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