Penn State Back in the Mix for Elite OT Prospect Layton Von Brandt
Penn State’s recruiting board is heating up again - and this time, it’s circling back to a name that Nittany Lions fans already know well.
Layton Von Brandt, one of the top offensive line prospects in the country and a former Penn State commit, is once again eyeing the Nittany Lions. The four-star tackle out of Appoquinimink High School in Middletown, Delaware, told reporters that he plans to release his list of top schools before the end of the year. When asked if Penn State would be on that list, his response was telling: “I wouldn’t be surprised if they were 👀.”
That emoji might not seem like much, but in the world of recruiting, it speaks volumes.
A Familiar Face, A New Era
Von Brandt was once firmly committed to Penn State, with no plans of flipping. But when the program parted ways with longtime head coach James Franklin, everything shifted. The offensive line anchor reopened his recruitment, choosing to wait and see who the new leadership would be before making any long-term decisions.
It didn’t take long for Penn State to make its move. Fifty-four days after Franklin’s dismissal, the university hired Matt Campbell away from Iowa State. And less than two days into Campbell’s tenure, he was already on the phone with Von Brandt.
“I had a chance to talk to him briefly, which I really appreciated,” Von Brandt said. “He seems like a very disciplined and principled coach that is about team success coming first over individual success. That’s all something as an O-lineman I can identify with - that’s basically what playing OL is all about.”
That early outreach from Campbell set the tone. By the end of the following work week, Penn State had officially re-offered Von Brandt - not just as a courtesy, but as a renewed commitment to making him a foundational piece of the future.
A New Voice in the Trenches
Von Brandt’s connection to Penn State runs deep, especially with former offensive line coach Phil Trautwein, who’s now at Florida. In fact, Trautwein has already extended an offer to Von Brandt from his new post in Gainesville.
But Penn State’s new OL coach, Ryan Clanton, is making his own impression.
“Coach Clanton seems like a good guy and coach, and I enjoyed talking ball with him,” Von Brandt said. “He called to introduce himself and let me know what he thought of my game - and that they weren’t offering me just because the previous staff did.
They were evaluating film and identified me as a guy they wanted. That meant a lot to me.”
That kind of direct, honest feedback resonates with a player like Von Brandt. Offensive linemen often pride themselves on being the unsung heroes - the grinders who do the dirty work so others can shine. So when a coach tells you he’s watched your tape and wants you, not just your ranking or reputation, that carries weight.
No Bridges Burned
Despite the coaching shakeup, Von Brandt hasn’t soured on Penn State. If anything, he’s still very much open to the idea of returning to Happy Valley - and he’s made it clear that there’s no bad blood.
“Penn State is a special place with a lot of great people and tradition, and I wish Coach Campbell the best,” Von Brandt said. “I will always have love for Penn State. It was just an unfortunate situation with how things ended with Coach Franklin, but none of that was Coach Campbell’s fault.”
He added that while the past is the past, he’s focused on building toward the future - one that could still include Penn State.
“There was no hard feelings between myself and the school. Just things changed so quickly and I had to do what I felt was best for me, just as they did.
The past is the past, and I’m excited for my future just like PSU is. Only time will tell what the future holds.”
What’s Next?
Von Brandt, ranked as the No. 5 offensive tackle and No. 38 overall player in the country by 247Sports, is keeping his recruitment wide open for now. He’s open to building relationships with any staff that shows genuine interest - and he’s taking his time to make the right call.
But make no mistake: Penn State is firmly back in the conversation.
With Matt Campbell settling in, Ryan Clanton starting to build relationships, and a renewed sense of direction inside the Lasch Building, the Nittany Lions are making a strong case to bring Von Brandt back into the fold.
And if that happens, it would be a major win - not just for the 2026 class, but for the identity Campbell is trying to establish: tough, disciplined, and built from the trenches out.