LSU’S Delpit takes on criticisms
Top safety in the NFL draft: I get ‘hate and slander’ from experts
INDIANAPOLIS – Grant Delpit has tackled his share of adversity through the years, so it’s a bit ironic that the primary knock on him heading into the 2020 NFL draft appears to be ... his tackling.
The LSU safety, projected as a likely firstround selection, lowered his shoulder into the criticism while also taking accountability for it.
“I get a lot of hate and slander from the media and the experts, but I think that’s just gonna make the glory so much better in the end,” Delpit said Friday morning at the league’s annual scouting combine.
“That’s definitely a thing I had to improve on from last year. I got it fixed toward the end of the season. It’s all about the approach and not trying to do too much, just getting ‘em on the ground. It’s a part of football, and I know I can do it. I’ve been doing it my whole life.
“Hopefully it won’t be a problem anymore.”
His former teammates harbor no doubts while also touting Delpit’s intelligence, selflessness, toughness, leadership and hard work.
“He’s the top safety in this draft,” said LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton. “And the tackling? You’ve seen him make tackles, he can make (them) in his sleep. Injuries plagued him. Also, he’s learned from every tackle that he’s missed. I’ve seen him in the film room late, just trying to see which ways he can correct himself.
“I think that’s gonna be fixed easily.”
Delpit did indeed deal with a high ankle sprain, an injury he said hindered his tackling, for a good chunk of the Tigers’ 2019 championship season. He says he’s close to 100% now but won’t work out for NFL teams until LSU’S April 3 pro day.
And however much the ankle limited Delpit’s effectiveness – he still won the Jim Thorpe Award (joining former LSU stars Patrick Peterson and Morris Claiborne) as college football’s top defensive back in 2019 and was named a second-team All-american – his teammates clearly appreciated his willingness to play through what can be a debilitating injury.
“That’s what you want out of a leader on the team is a guy that will push through for you and go hard,” said LSU defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence. “Whoever gets him, they’re getting a great teammate, a ball hawk, a guy that can pressure, a guy that can play in coverage. He’ll be just fine.
“When he’s at 100%, I don’t think there’s a better safety in America.”
Delpit, who checked in at 6-2 and 213 pounds, doesn’t disagree. As teams that need safeties – say, the Dallas Cowboys – come on the clock, he was asked why he should be the pick over a peer such as Alabama’s Xavier Mckinney.
“I pride myself on being a versatile player, I think that’s probably my biggest strength,” said Delpit, before continuing.
“I honestly think I’m the best safety in this draft without a doubt. Most versatile player, put me anywhere in the secondary, and I’m gonna play it. Make plays all over the field. Natural leader on the field.
“I definitely think I’m the right choice, but it’s a team preference.”
LSU utilized him at free safety and in the box during his three years in Baton Rouge. Delpit considers former Tiger and current Chiefs star Tyrann Mathieu a role model. And he digs deep into the safety vault when studying players like Hall of Famer Ed Reed and former Raiders hitman Jack Tatum.
Delpit also speaks with current Jets all-pro safety Jamal Adams, saying “he’s definitely the standard, trying to chase him.”
Considering what else Delpit has overcome, no reason to think he can’t catch him.
Prior to his ankle problems in 2019, he broke his clavicle in LSU’S 2018 spring game – a setback that required surgery to insert plates and screws to stabilize the bone. He went on to become a unanimous first-team All-american that season, finishing with 74 tackles (91/2 for losses), five sacks and five interceptions.
But those accomplishments pale in comparison to overcoming the ravages of Hurricane Katrina, which displaced his family (they didn’t have flood insurance) from their native New Orleans.
“Katrina was very hard for our family. Wish I could’ve stayed in New Orleans and came back,” said Delpit, who fled to
Memphis with his folks before settling in Houston with his aunt.
“I’m glad I had a great support system, my family stayed together.”
His path eventually wound back to Louisiana, where he would don the famed No. 7 at LSU, a number reserved for stars like Peterson, Mathieu, Leonard Fournette and D.J. Chark.
“It was great, tried to uphold that standard,” said Delpit. “Meant the world to me. When I was a kid, you grow up dreaming about that type of stuff. I really, really never thought I would have the opportunity to do that.”
Now he’s ready to tackle his next opportunity. Head-on.