The 2027 recruiting cycle is shaping up to be a defining one for Matt Campbell’s early tenure at Penn State - and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Pennsylvania is loaded with blue-chip talent this year, arguably more than it’s seen in a long time.
It’s the kind of in-state class that can set the tone for a program’s trajectory over the next four years. But so far, things haven’t gone according to plan in Happy Valley.
The biggest early blow? Five-star running back Kemon Spell - the crown jewel of the class - is headed to Georgia.
That stings. Not just because Spell is a game-changer, but because Penn State has yet to land a single commitment in the 2027 class.
For a coach trying to plant his flag in a new program, that’s not the start you want.
But there’s a glimmer of hope, and it comes in the form of a familiar name: Layton Von Brandt.
The four-star offensive tackle out of Middletown, Delaware, announced this week that he’ll be returning to Happy Valley for a visit on April 18. It’s a key development for Campbell and his staff - not just because Von Brandt is a top-50 national prospect, but because he was once already in the fold.
Von Brandt originally committed to Penn State back in November 2024, when James Franklin was still running the show. But after Franklin’s departure, the 6-foot-6 lineman reopened his recruitment.
Since then, Campbell and new general manager Derek Hoodjer have made reestablishing that connection a priority. The offer went back out quickly, and the relationship-building hasn’t stopped since.
Of course, Campbell isn’t working alone here. Offensive line coach Ryan Clanton - who replaced Phil Trautwein - has reportedly made a strong impression on Von Brandt.
That’s a critical piece of the puzzle. Clanton’s ability to connect with one of the top tackles in the country could be a difference-maker in this recruitment.
But there’s a twist: Trautwein hasn’t disappeared from the picture. After leaving Penn State, he returned to his alma mater, Florida, where he joined Jon Sumrall’s staff.
And he didn’t go alone - former Nittany Lion linemen Eagan Boyer and TJ Shanahan Jr. followed him to Gainesville. That kind of player movement speaks volumes about Trautwein’s pull, and it adds another layer of competition for Von Brandt’s signature.
So now, Campbell finds himself in a high-stakes recruiting battle - not just with other programs, but with familiar faces who know Penn State’s pitch inside and out. That’s a challenge, no doubt. But it’s also an opportunity for Campbell to prove he can recruit at the highest level.
At Iowa State, Campbell made a name for himself by developing under-the-radar talent into Big 12 contenders. But this is the Big Ten. If Penn State wants to contend for conference titles - and more - it’s going to take winning battles like this one for elite, national-level prospects.
Layton Von Brandt’s upcoming visit isn’t just another stop on a spring tour. It’s a chance for Penn State to get back in the race - and maybe even take the lead.