Appoquinimink (Middletown, Delaware) four-star offensive tackle Layton Von Brandt is down to four schools.
Von Brandt told Hayes Fawcett of Rivals that Penn State, Florida, Auburn and Notre Dame are his finalists.
Von Brandt decommitted from Penn State last fall following the firing of James Franklin. Since then, he has taken a step back from his recruitment, wanting to complete his spring visits before narrowing his list and setting official visits.
Those official visits are now set.
Florida will host Von Brandt on May 28. Penn State will get its official visit June 2, followed by Auburn on June 12 and Notre Dame on June 19.
Florida remains an interesting contender because of former Penn State offensive line coach Phil Trautwein, who returned to his alma mater and was Von Brandt’s primary recruiter on Franklin’s staff. Another key piece in Gainesville is Coatesville (Pa.) five-star offensive lineman Maxwell Hiller, whom Von Brandt bonded with at camps.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Notre Dame has also begun to separate from the pack, according to analysts at 247Sports and Rivals.
Penn State, however, may not be completely out of it.
Following his April 18 unofficial visit, Von Brandt said his return trip to Happy Valley gave him something to think about.
“I really enjoyed my time with Coach Campbell and Coach [Ryan] Clanton,” Von Brandt said. “The culture, development of high school players from a technique and physical strength standpoint were super impressive. Coach Clanton is more involved in that than any coach I’ve ever met.”
Penn State currently has the No. 5 overall recruiting class per 247Sports. A commitment from Von Brandt would give Penn State their fifth four-star commitment of the 2027 recruiting class.
