Grant Delpit Bio
Grant Jacobs Delpit (born September 20, 1998) is an American professional football safety for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing approximately 207 pounds, he has built a reputation as a versatile defensive back capable of playing near the line of scrimmage or in deep coverage. He played college football at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he earned consensus All-American honors twice and won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2019. Delpit was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft and quickly became a core member of the team’s secondary.
Drafted 44th overall, Delpit is widely regarded as one of the more athletic safeties of his draft class. He combines strong tackling with the ability to match up against tight ends and slot receivers. After recovering from a serious Achilles injury that cost him his rookie year, he developed into a reliable starter and a key contributor to the Browns’ defense.
Early Life and Background
Grant Jacobs Delpit was born on September 20, 1998, in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. He grew up in a city with a deep football tradition, and the sport became a central part of his early life. Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Delpit and his family were displaced and eventually settled in Houston, Texas. The experience of moving shaped his early years and gave him exposure to different football environments across the Gulf South.
Delpit attended St. Thomas High School in Houston for two years before transferring to Lamar High School as a junior. Seeking a stronger platform for his senior season, he moved to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where he was teammates with fellow top recruit Dylan Moses. In his senior year, he produced 47 tackles and five interceptions, establishing himself as one of the premier safety prospects in the country. He ultimately committed to Louisiana State University to continue his football career.
Path to American Football
Delpit’s path to professional football began at IMG Academy, where his combination of size, speed, and ball skills attracted attention from major college programs. His senior statistics, including five interceptions, made him a consensus top-rated safety in his recruiting class. Choosing LSU allowed him to compete in the Southeastern Conference, widely considered the most competitive league in college football.
As a true freshman at LSU in 2017, Delpit played in all 13 games and made 10 starts, recording 60 tackles and one interception. The early playing time helped him adjust to the speed and complexity of the college game. By his sophomore year, he had become a full-time starter, and his performance in coverage and run support positioned him as one of the most complete safeties in college football.
Grant Delpit Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Delpit’s second season at LSU in 2018 marked his emergence as a national figure. He earned Unanimous All-American honors and was named First-team All-SEC, while also receiving the Jack Tatum Trophy. His ability to play in the box, cover tight ends, and create turnovers helped anchor a Tigers defense that finished the season ranked among the best in the country.
In 2019, Delpit elevated his play even further. He won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back, was named a Consensus All-American, and earned First-team All-SEC honors for the second consecutive year. His junior season culminated in a College Football Playoff national championship, one of the most celebrated runs in LSU history. Following the championship, Delpit announced that he would forgo his senior season and declare for the 2020 NFL draft.
NFL Breakthrough (2020–2021)
The Cleveland Browns selected Delpit in the second round, 44th overall, of the 2020 NFL draft. He was the third safety taken in the draft and was viewed as a versatile playmaker with strong coverage skills. The Browns signed him to a four-year rookie contract worth $7.46 million, including a signing bonus of $2.98 million.
Delpit’s rookie season was cut short before it began. On August 24, 2020, he tore his Achilles tendon during practice and was placed on injured reserve, forcing him to miss his entire first year. He made his long-awaited regular season debut on September 19, 2021, against the Houston Texans, recording six tackles, a forced fumble, and his first career sack. As the season progressed, he took over the starting strong safety role and finished 2021 with 66 combined tackles, three pass deflections, one sack, a forced fumble, and an interception in 15 games.
Cleveland Browns Era (2022–Present)
In 2022, Delpit became a full-time starter at strong safety under defensive coordinator Joe Woods. He started all 17 regular season games and recorded 105 combined tackles, ten pass deflections, and four interceptions, including a career-high two interceptions off Carson Wentz in a Week 17 win over the Washington Commanders. His coverage grade from Pro Football Focus remained among the team leaders for defensive backs.
Delpit continued to start in 2023 under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. He posted 80 combined tackles, four pass deflections, one interception, and a fumble recovery in 13 games before a groin injury ended his season in December. On December 10, 2023, the Browns signed him to a three-year, $36 million contract extension with $23.60 million guaranteed, confirming his role as a long-term building block. In 2024, he switched his jersey number from No. 22 to No. 9 and started 16 games, finishing with 111 combined tackles, one pass deflection, and one sack.
Driving Style and Strengths
Delpit’s game is built on versatility, range, and physicality. He is comfortable playing near the line of scrimmage against the run, dropping into deep zone coverage, or matching up in man coverage against tight ends and slot receivers. His ability to produce in coverage and as a tackler has made him a three-down safety for the Browns.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments are his 2019 Jim Thorpe Award, his role in LSU’s College Football Playoff national championship, and his first career interception off Lamar Jackson in 2021. His 2022 season, with four interceptions, and his 2023 contract extension further established his standing as one of the league’s productive young safeties.
Grant Delpit Career Wins
Grant Delpit’s career achievements include a College Football Playoff national championship at LSU in 2019, multiple All-American honors, and the Jim Thorpe Award. Since joining the Cleveland Browns, he has become a reliable starter and a key piece of the team’s defense, highlighted by a major contract extension in 2023.
College Highlights
At LSU, Delpit earned First-team All-SEC honors in 2018 and 2019, was named a Unanimous All-American in 2018, and earned Consensus All-American honors in 2019. He won the Jack Tatum Trophy in 2018 and the Jim Thorpe Award in 2019. His freshman totals of 60 tackles and one interception foreshadowed a decorated college career.
Other Performances
In the NFL, Delpit reached a career-high two interceptions in a single game during the 2022 season. He has also posted multiple 100-tackle seasons, including 105 combined tackles in 2022 and 111 combined tackles in 2024, underscoring his consistency.
Grant Delpit Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Delpit was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and was displaced with his family to Houston, Texas, after Hurricane Katrina. He attended multiple high schools, including St. Thomas High School, Lamar High School, and IMG Academy, where he developed into a top national recruit.
Personal Life
Grant Delpit keeps his personal life largely private, and verified public details about his family relationships, marital status, or children are limited. He is known to be active on social media, where he shares updates about his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Grant Delpit remains the Cleveland Browns’ starting strong safety alongside free safety Juan Thornhill. The Browns continue to build their defense under head coach Kevin Stefanski, and Delpit’s experience and coverage ability are central to those plans. His contract extension keeps him under team control through the 2026 season.
Early in 2025, Delpit contributed in a Week 7 matchup against the Miami Dolphins, recording two special teams tackles and a forced fumble in a 31-6 victory. His performance earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He continues to be deployed in multiple defensive roles, including coverage and run support.
Looking ahead, Delpit is expected to remain a fixture in the Browns’ secondary. With his blend of experience, tackling, and coverage skills, he will play a key role as the team evaluates its long-term defensive outlook for the 2025 season and beyond.