Better Know A Buckeye is our look at every member of Ohio State’s 2025 recruiting class and how they became Buckeyes as they prepare to begin their OSU careers this fall.
One of the highest-ranked safeties in the 2025 class, Faheem Delane (No. 5 safety, No. 55 overall) brings plenty of versatility, the type of do-it-all ability that's been a prominent part of the Buckeyes’ secondary, especially during their national championship run this past season.
The Maryland product’s size paired with his ability to play both in center field and in the box gives him the type of skill set as a safety that can flourish in Ohio State's defensive backfield.
Faheem Delane
- Size: 6-1/210
- Position: S
- School: Our Lady Good Counsel (Olney, Maryland)
- 247 Composite: ★★★★
- Composite Rank: #5 S
- Overall Rank: #55
How He Became a Buckeye
Although Delane played safety at Good Counsel, when Ohio State offered Delane back on May 16, 2022, he was listed as a cornerback in terms of the recruiting rankings.
“I was really excited, because Ohio State, that’s definitely one of the DBUs,” Delane told Eleven Warriors at the time. “Jeff Okudah, Marshon Lattimore and Malik Hooker all came from there. So many more in the history of the program with DBs going to the NFL. To get that offer was just an honor.”
Less than a year later, he became one of the top-ranked safeties in the class as many expected him to remain at the position he played throughout high school.
Delane visited Columbus frequently over the next two years and 25 months after receiving his OSU offer, the elite safety committed to the Buckeyes after a visit to Ohio State. It was a visit where Matt Guerrieri and Tim Walton presented Delane with a detailed development plan for his career as a Buckeye.
Much like many other recruiting battles, Oregon was Ohio State’s top competition for Delane throughout the process. Ohio State won the battle in the end for its top target at the position in the cycle.
Despite being one of the top safeties in the class and committing six months before Early Signing Day, Delane's recruitment was drama-free once he committed Ohio State.
High School Years
As a sophomore, Delane recorded 41 tackles and two forced fumbles for Our Lady of Good Counsel, going against some of the best competition across the country in his first year as a starter.
A look at safety Faheem Delane. pic.twitter.com/Ws0IfoacrQ
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) December 6, 2024
Delane totaled 69 tackles and 18 pass breakups in his junior season while leading Good Counsel to a WCAC championship. He was also named an All-Met selection by The Washington Post.
He closed out his high school career by notching 97 tackles (seven tackles for loss), two sacks and three interceptions while earning Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior.
Faheem Delane does it all in his game tape. Aggressive tackler, applies pressure, covers in space, blocks and returns kicks @faheemdelane
— Billy Tucker (@TheUCReport) May 17, 2024
The No. 1 safety in Maryland will take part in the UA Next Camp in Baltimore for the third year in a row this Sunday #UANext pic.twitter.com/tlmlFYi14Y
Throughout his time at Good Counsel, Delane was primarily a box safety or a slot corner, dominating at both positions as he showcased his ability to do almost everything.
Immediate Impact
Better Know A Buckeye
While Caleb Downs and either Malik Hartford or Jaylen McClain will likely be the starting safeties this fall, Delane has a good shot of making the two-deep to begin his OSU career with his college-ready frame if he impresses during his first spring and fall camp in Columbus.
If so, he should receive some playing time in the Buckeye secondary and could also be a contributor on special teams as a freshman. Even if not, he will gain valuable experience learning from a do-it-all safety like Downs and be able to showcase his versatility in that role in practice.
Long-Term Impact
As a player who excels at multiple levels of the defense, including pass coverage, stopping the run and blitzing, Delane could push for a starting job in Ohio State's secondary as a sophomore with Downs very likely entering the 2026 NFL draft. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound defensive back could be an excellent strong safety or nickel at OSU, as he's never been afraid of using his physicality to overwhelm his opponent.
Delane will start his career as a deep safety for the Buckeyes, projecting primarily as a strong safety in the mold of Lathan Ransom, though his versatile skill set could also enable him to become a hybrid safety/nickel like Jordan Hancock was for Ohio State last season.
Player Comparison: Mark Barron
The former Alabama safety combined for 235 tackles (14 tackles for loss), 12 interceptions, 11 pass breakups, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery during his four seasons with the Crimson Tide, the latter three of which were as a starter. The 6-foot-2, 218-pound safety had a perfect combination of size and speed to go along with his versatility as a player on the back end of Alabama’s defense. Barron went on to be a first-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft.
Delane's combination of hard-hitting tackling and coverage skill while lining up at safety – both in the box and in the back end of the secondary – will allow him to showcase his athleticism and nose for the football, much like Barron did throughout his time at Alabama.
