Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Cornerback Mansoor Delane is one of many exciting players in defensive coordinator Chris Marve’s secondary. The Silver Spring, Maryland native has quickly become a playmaker with his quick hips, explosive speed and relentless ballhawk ability. Fans can see Delane line up on defense when the Hokies welcome the Rutgers Scarlet Knights to Blacksburg on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 3:30 p.m. ET. Live coverage will be provided on ACC Network.
As a true freshman in 2022, Delane began to make his presence known at the cornerback position. Playing in eight games and starting four, the Archbishop Spalding High School graduate tallied 38 tackles (17 solo), 1.5 TFLs and tied for a team-high two forced fumbles. The cornerback also led Tech defensive players in pass breakups (8), highlighting his talent at finding the ball and eliminating any chance of a reception. Against in-conference rival Duke, Delane recorded his first career interception alongside seven tackles and a pass breakup. For his first-year efforts, Delane earned All-ACC Honorable Mention and 247Sports True Freshman All-American recognition alongside an 82.0 Pro Football Focus coverage grade.
Delane saw a more elevated role in his sophomore season, starting all 13 games in the secondary and recording 54 tackles. Primarily lining up in tandem with cornerback Dorian Strong, Delane excels on the defensive end due to a variety of skills. Standing at 6-foot-1 and 187 pounds, his frame and large wingspan to highpoint incoming passes serve as a tough matchup to opposing wide receivers. Against Rutgers last season, the cornerback blanked the stat sheet by denying a single catch and earning himself an 80.1 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus. Delane also recorded an 81.3 defensive grade against the Scarlet Knights, his highest aggregate grade in 2023.
Over the first three games this season, the true junior has recorded both of Tech’s two interceptions on the year, including a dazzling display of awareness when catching sophomore Mose Phillips III’s tipped pass against Marshall. In the most recent contest against Old Dominion, Delane didn’t allow a catch in the 37-17 win, earning himself a 77.3 PFF defensive grade on the day. Delane’s 6 tackles (5 solo) are tied for first amongst cornerbacks (Strong), and the total will continue to climb as the Scarlet Knights visit this Saturday.