Coming into the season, the LSU defense had two players in the spotlight, and rightfully so, in cornerback Greedy Williams and linebacker Devin White.
One Tiger that seemed to be overshadowed was sophomore safety Grant Delpit, and it’d be tough to find a player on either side of the ball that has performed as well as the New Orleans native.
Through five games, Delpit leads the team in tackles for loss and is now tied with Williams in interceptions and with Michael Divinity in sacks through five games. Delpit added to all of those totals Saturday night against the Rebels.
Delpit recorded an interception, a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss in the 45-16 victory over Ole Miss after coming in with one pick, two sacks and four tackles for loss on the season.
“I think Grant is an outstanding athlete and an outstanding young man,” Coach Ed Orgeron said. “What Dave Aranda is doing with him — moving him around in the slot — that was one of the key things tonight. We wanted him to play in the post.”
Delpit’s interception was a key play in the early stages of the game as it rattled the explosive Ole Miss offense right from their first drive. Delpit said he knew that Ole Miss would want to take a deep shot early and was focused on the quarterback’s eyes.
“My role this week was to make plays,” Delpit said. “We knew they liked to throw the ball, so we just studied the film, studied the route combinations and made the plays.”
Junior linebacker Devin White said Delpit can play anywhere on the field and even went on to say “Grant for Heisman.”
“He’s a linebacker, he’s a safety and he’s a defensive end,” White said. “That’s my little brother, I love him to death and we’re very close. They don’t make guys like him every day.”
Delpit said there were no real discussions between him and defensive coordinator Dave Aranda about the wide variety of ways he’d be utilized this season.
“I credit coach Aranda and the defense as a whole for putting me in positions to where I can make plays,” Delpit said. “It’s a lot to learn, but I just go out there and have fun and try to make a few plays when I can.”
