Mansoor Delane

NFL Draft Profile: Mansoor Delane

Position: Cornerback | School: LSU (via Virginia Tech) | Class: Senior

Height: 6'0" | Weight: 191 lbs | Archetype: Man

College Career Summary

Mansoor Delane emerged as a legitimate superstar after transferring from Virginia Tech to LSU for the 2025 season. A multi-year starter in the ACC, Delane arrived in Baton Rouge with a reputation for "sticky" coverage and ball-hawking instincts. His final year was nothing short of historic; he was named a Unanimous All-American and a Jim Thorpe Award Finalist.

What made his 2025 campaign legendary was his Mental Toughness. Delane played through a persistent core injury starting in late September, missing only one game before returning for the regular-season finale. Over his career, he appeared in 44 games, amassing over 190 tackles, 8 interceptions, and 33 passes defended. He is widely considered the most "pro-ready" technician in the 2026 class.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 44 (Starts: 40)

• Total Tackles: 191 (45 in 2025)

• Interceptions: 8 (2 in 2025)

• Pass Breakups (PD): 33 (11 in 2025)

• Forced Fumbles: 4 (0 in 2025)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
@ Clemson	2 Tkl, 1 INT, 2 PD	A+	Star Impact. Shut down the boundary; game-clinching INT.
vs. LA Tech	2 Tkl, 1 PD	B	Quietly efficient; targeted only twice.
vs. Florida	5 Tkl, 1 PD	B+	Elite Tackling in space against screens.
vs. SE Louisiana	0 Tkl, 0 PD	C+	Barely on the field due to the blowout; stayed healthy.
@ Ole Miss	11 Tkl	B-	High volume, but struggled slightly with tempo while injured.
vs. South Carolina	5 Tkl, 1 PD	B+	Battled through the core injury; excellent Press.
@ Vanderbilt	3 Tkl, 1 PD	C+	Worst Game. Looked hampered by injury; lost one 1v1 TD.
vs. Texas A&M	5 Tkl, 1 PD	B	Solid in Zone transition; limited explosive plays.
@ Alabama	4 Tkl, 1 PD	A-	Mental Toughness. Lockdown performance in a hostile environment.
vs. Arkansas	4 Tkl, 1 INT, 2 PD	A	Two game-changing ball disruptions; back to full speed.
vs. W. Kentucky	DNP	N/A	Rested to heal the core injury for the finale.
@ Oklahoma	4 Tkl, 1 PD	B+	Disciplined Footwork; erased the deep threat.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Technical Refinement: Delane possesses arguably the cleanest Footwork in the class. His "backpedal-to-drive" transition is seamless, rarely losing balance or "opening the gate" too early.

• Man Coverage Specialist: He thrives when isolated. He uses a physical Press at the line to disrupt timing and has the Agility to mirror complex route trees without help.

• Competitive Temperament: A true "dog" on the field. He doesn't back down from physical receivers and relishes the challenge of a CB1 vs. WR1 matchup.

• Ball Tracking: His "center fielder" eyes allow him to play the ball, not the man. He high-points interceptions and is elite at "raking" the hands of the receiver at the catch point.

Weaknesses

• Top-End Speed: While fast, he isn't a "burner." Elite 4.3-speed receivers can occasionally stack him vertically if he doesn't get a good jam at the line.

• Frame Density: At 191 lbs, he is slightly leaner than the 200 lb benchmark. Can struggle with "push-off" physicality from larger NFL-sized receivers.

• Aggression Penalties: His desire to be physical in Man coverage leads to occasional holding or pass interference calls when he gets out of phase.

Scheme Fit: Ideal Boundary Corner in a Heavy-Man or Match-Quarters system.

NFL Comparison: Quinyon Mitchell / Tre’Davious White (Prime)

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 20/20 | Physical Tools: 16/20 | Attributes: 19/20 | Athleticism: 17/20 | IQ: 19/20

Final Grade: 91/100

Mansoor Delane is a "safe" bet for NFL success. He isn't a 4.2-speed freak, but he is a master of his craft. His 2025 season at LSU proved that his game translates to the highest level of competition (SEC) even when playing through significant pain. His Leadership and unanimous accolades make him a "set-it-and-forget-it" starter at the next level. In a draft where lockdown corners are at a premium, Delane’s technical floor is higher than almost any other prospect.

Draft Projection: 1st Round (Top 15)