Could Faheem Delane Be the Game-Changer LSU Football Didn’t Know It Needed?

You know that feeling when legacy calls louder than opportunity? That’s precisely the vibe Faheem Delane is riding right now, stepping off the Buckeye train and onto the LSU gridiron, following the path blazed by none other than his older brother, Mansoor. Fresh from Ohio State, where he carved out his freshman year with glimpses of promise, Delane’s decision to commit to LSU isn’t just a transfer—it’s a homecoming of sorts, laced with family ties and the allure of top-tier defensive mentorship. With Lane Kiffin and Blake Baker pulling the strings, and a little fraternal nudge in the mix, this move screams potential, competition, and a fresh shot at carving out his own legacy in Baton Rouge. For anyone tracking the shifting sands of the transfer portal, Delane’s jump is a compelling story of ambition, connection, and timing. LEARN MORE

BATON ROUGE – Faheem Delane is following his older brother’s footsteps.

The Ohio State freshman safety transfer has committed to LSU football, he announced via his Instagram page Friday. Delane’s older brother, Mansoor, just finished playing for the Tigers 2025.

A top-100 player out of the transfer portal, Delane comes to LSU highly sought-after. Lane Kiffin and defensive coordinator Blake Baker, and probably with some help from older brother Mansoor, was able to close the deal.

LSU FOOTBALL TRANSFER PORTAL TRACKER LSU football transfer portal tracker: Faheem Delane commits to LSU

He played in five games as a freshman at Ohio State, finishing with 12 tackles.

Why Faheem Delane picked LSU football out of transfer portal

Because of the personal tie, Delane knows what the LSU defensive coaching staff can offer him by way of development, expectation and instruction. Safeties coach Jake Olsen has recently coach A.J. Haulcy, who is about to be an NFL Draft pick come April.

When he hit the transfer portal last week, LSU was immediately thought to be the frontrunner to land him and once Kiffin and company got him on campus Thursday, things were considered to be a done deal.

How Faheem Delane will fit LSU football’s roster

The aforementioned Haulcy is moving onto the NFL and that means a spot in the backend of LSU’s defense is open. Baker loves competition and bringing in Delane helps foster that.

LSU has some guys with experience back like Dashawn Spears but depth at the position isn’t where LSU would like for it to be. Expectation is that Delane generates playing time for himself in the 2026 season.

LSU football transfer targets

Missouri edge rusher Damon Wilson
Ole Miss linebacker T.J. Dottery
Maryland offensive lineman Aliou Bah
North Dakota linebacker Theo Grace
Minnesota offensive lineman Kahlee Tafai
Wake Forest wide receiver Sterling Berkhalter
Alabama offensive lineman Micah DeBose
North Carolina State wide receiver Terrell Anderson
Arkansas wide receiver Andy Jean
California-Davis running back Carter Vargas
McNeese State cornerback Javon Davis

When does transfer portal close?

The NCAA transfer portal window closes Jan. 16. Players cannot enter their name in the portal following that date, but those whose name is already in the transfer portal can still decide and sign with a new school after Jan. 16.

Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: How transfer portal S Faheem Delane fits with LSU football roster