Charlotte’s Leo Delaney had no shortage of elite suitors. Michigan and Penn State were ready to roll out the red carpet later this month. Nearly three dozen programs had offered. But when it came time to decide, the rising senior at Providence Day School didn’t need another tour — he had already found home.
The 6-foot-6, 290-pound offensive lineman announced his commitment to Clemson on Wednesday, becoming the Tigers’ highest-ranked 2026 pledge to date. A four-star recruit, Delaney is ranked No. 62 overall in the nation and No. 5 in North Carolina by 247Sports. He joins teammate Gordon Sellars — a Clemson wide receiver commit — as the second Charger to choose Dabo Swinney’s program this cycle.
“My top three schools were dead even going into that visit (to Clemson),” Delaney told On3. “But getting on campus, being around the people and just getting another feel for that culture pushed me over in the end … What really made the biggest impact on me on the visit was being around the players. Everyone enjoys being there. The culture is different. Everyone wants to be there and that is where I want to be.”
That official visit last weekend sealed it. Though Clemson offered last summer, the Tigers had built a relationship with Delaney stretching back more than two years. He’s been on campus in some fashion at least five times, per On3. Offensive line coach Matt Luke led Clemson’s recruitment, and now gets one of the most polished — and versatile — linemen in North Carolina’s 2026 class.
Delaney played right tackle at Providence Day last season, lining up opposite 2025 five-star Tennessee commit David Sanders Jr. But 247Sports projects his future may be more flexible.
“For Clemson, I think he adds some sizzle to what has already been an impressive offensive line haul,” wrote 247Sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins. “A functional mover that’s quick and tactical with his hands, Delaney can shoot out of his stance and wall-off assignments on short pulls as he gets hips around … More of a finesse player than he is a power player at this stage, but that could change after a few semesters in a college weight room.”
Ivins added that Delaney “might be a few years away, but could hit big,” highlighting his potential as a right tackle or interior lineman at the next level.
Delaney earned MaxPreps Sophomore All-America honors in 2023 while helping lead Providence Day to a NCISAA Division I state title. He missed the end of the 2024 season due to injury, but still helped coach Chad Grier’s Chargers return to the state championship game and finish 9-3 overall.
In addition to his football resume, Delaney holds a black belt in Jeet Kune Do, Bruce Lee’s hybrid martial arts philosophy, and previously contributed on defense as a sophomore with 40 tackles and five tackles for loss.
“Everything Coach (Dabo) Swinney talked about felt so real,” Delaney told Clemson247. “It seemed like a place I knew I’d be developed as a man and player, and most importantly, love being at.”
📊 Leo Delaney | Clemson commit
🧩 Position: Offensive Line
📍 Hometown: Charlotte, NC
🎓 High School: Providence Day Chargers
🧢 Coach: Chad Grier
📏 Size: 6-6, 290
🏅 Ranking: 4⭐️ (247Sports) | No. 62 nationally | No. 5 in NC | No. 5 IOL nationally
🎯 Chose Clemson over: Penn State, Michigan, and 30+ offers
💪 Career Notes: MaxPreps Sophomore All-American | State champion in 2023 | NCISAA runner-up in 2024
🎥 Watch Highlights on Hudl
Sources: On3.com, Clemson247, 247Sports
🔗 2026 Football Recruiting is heating up across North Carolina. Check out where rising seniors from the Old North State have committed to play college ball: 2026 NC High School Commitment Tracker
