Four-Star Offensive Lineman Leo Delaney Commits to Clemson, Bolstering Tigers’ 2026 Class
Clemson University’s football program has secured a major win on the recruiting trail with the commitment of four-star offensive lineman Leo Delaney from Providence Day School in Charlotte, North Carolina. Delaney, a top-tier prospect in the 2026 recruiting class, announced his decision on June 4, 2025, live on The Ultimate College Football Show, choosing the Tigers over finalists Penn State and Michigan. His pledge marks a significant coup for head coach Dabo Swinney and offensive line coach Matt Luke, reinforcing Clemson’s reputation for building elite trenches.
Leo Delaney, a 6-foot-6, 320-pound interior offensive lineman, is a consensus four-star recruit, ranked No. 62 overall in the 2026 class, No. 4 among interior linemen, and No. 6 in North Carolina, according to 247Sports. With an offer list boasting nearly 30 programs—including powerhouses like Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and USC—Delaney’s commitment to Clemson underscores the program’s enduring appeal. “Clemson is a one-of-a-kind program,” Delaney told TigerNet in March 2025, a sentiment that grew stronger after his official visit from May 30 to June 2, 2025. “The culture, the family feel, and how they develop you as a man and a player—it’s second to none,” he added.
Delaney’s journey with Clemson began early. The Tigers extended an offer in June 2024, making him the first offensive lineman in the 2026 class to receive one from the program. “That was pretty special,” Delaney told The Clemson Insider. “Clemson doesn’t splash offers. If they offer you, it’s committable, and they’re gonna recruit you hard.” Multiple visits followed, including a junior day on March 9, 2024, the Elite Retreat on March 8, 2025, and a game-day experience against Stanford in 2024. Each trip deepened his connection to the program. “Every time I go up there, it just feels like home,” Delaney said after his latest visit in October 2024. “The whole place is a big family, and everyone is so welcoming.”
The official visit in late May 2025 proved decisive. Clemson rolled out the red carpet, blending celebration with insight into the program’s inner workings. “It was great,” Delaney told TigerNet. “Getting to hang out with the players and coaches, experiencing everything Clemson football for a whole weekend—it was exactly what I needed to see.” Head coach Dabo Swinney’s emphasis on holistic development left a lasting impression. “Coach Swinney talked about how they’ll honor your scholarship even with a career-ending injury, making sure you graduate and become the best man possible,” Delaney noted. “They set you up for success, league or no league.”
Offensive line coach Matt Luke, hired in December 2023, was instrumental in securing Delaney’s commitment. A veteran coach with stints at Ole Miss and Georgia, Luke’s technical expertise and personal rapport resonated with the young lineman. “I love Coach Luke,” Delaney said in July 2024. “His energy, coaching style, and how technical he is—we’ve formed a great relationship.” Luke’s vision for Delaney aligns with Clemson’s focus on size, length, and versatility, qualities the 6-foot-6 prospect embodies. At Providence Day, Delaney has been a standout, earning MaxPreps Sophomore All-American First Team honors in 2023 alongside teammate and 2025 five-star offensive tackle David Sanders Jr., now a Tennessee commit.
Delaney’s skill set is impressive. His 280-pound frame as a sophomore has grown to 320 pounds, combining power with agility honed as a black belt in Jeet Kune Do. His footwork and ability to neutralize defenders have drawn praise, with 247Sports ranking him among the nation’s elite interior linemen. A teammate of Sanders at Providence Day, Delaney helped pave the way for a potent offense, showcasing the versatility Clemson covets to protect against injury and attrition.
Clemson faced stiff competition, with Michigan initially viewed as a frontrunner and Penn State making a strong push. Tennessee also remained in the mix, leveraging ties to Sanders and multiple visits to Knoxville. Yet, Clemson’s proximity—less than a two-hour drive from Charlotte—combined with its winning tradition and family atmosphere tipped the scales. “I love the facilities, the coaches, and how everyone interacts like a family,” Delaney told The Clemson Insider after his March 2024 visit. On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine gave Clemson a 93% chance to land him post-visit, a forecast that proved accurate.
Delaney’s commitment bolsters Clemson’s 2026 class, joining four-star offensive linemen Adam Guthrie, Chance Barclay, Grant Wise, and Braden Wilmes. The Tigers aim to add one or two more linemen, and Delaney’s pledge signals their intent to dominate the trenches. “I can’t wait to continue building a relationship with them,” Delaney said in July 2024, a sentiment echoed in his final decision.
For Tiger fans, Leo Delaney’s commitment brings excitement and promise. A Charlotte native choosing to run down the hill at Death Valley, he’s poised to become a cornerstone of Clemson’s offensive line, carrying forward a legacy of excellence under Swinney and Luke. As Delaney told TigerNet, “They have a history of winning, and I have as much love for them as you can have for a school.” Clemson’s 2026 class is off to a roaring start.
