Tennessee is firmly in the hunt for one of the premier offensive tackles in the 2027 recruiting class, and the name to know is Layton Von Brandt. The high four-star prospect recently narrowed his list to eight schools, and the Vols made the cut alongside Florida, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, LSU, and Auburn.
Von Brandt isn’t just another name on the recruiting board - he’s a top-tier talent. Ranked No. 38 nationally in the 247Sports Composite, he was once as high as No. 28 earlier in the cycle, briefly earning five-star status.
That drop to four stars hasn’t diminished his upside, though. With a strong senior season ahead, he’s still very much in the conversation to climb back into that elite five-star tier.
At 6-foot-6 with a frame that already looks college-ready, Von Brandt is the No. 5 offensive tackle in the country and the top overall player out of Delaware. He plays his high school ball at Appoquinimink in Middletown, where his size, footwork, and physicality have made him a dominant force on the edge.
What makes his recruitment even more intriguing is the backstory. Von Brandt originally committed to Penn State in November 2024 during an unofficial visit, locking in with the Nittany Lions early.
But when head coach James Franklin was fired, that commitment didn’t stick. Now, both Penn State and Franklin’s new home at Virginia Tech remain in the mix, giving this recruitment a bit of a twist.
Tennessee offered Von Brandt back in February 2025, and while he hasn’t publicly announced a visit to Knoxville yet, the Vols are clearly in the conversation. That’s significant, especially considering the program is already building a solid foundation for its 2027 class.
Right now, Tennessee holds four commitments in the cycle. The headliner is Princeton Uwaifo, an in-state offensive lineman who ranks No. 110 nationally and carries four-star status. He’s a tone-setter in the trenches and could be a future anchor up front.
Behind Uwaifo are three more commitments: defensive lineman Kadin Fife, cornerback Kamauri Whitfield, and linebacker JP Peace - all three-star prospects who bring versatility and upside. Collectively, the group is ranked No. 13 in the nation by 247Sports, and the Vols are looking to keep that momentum rolling.
Landing Von Brandt would be a major statement - not just because of his ranking, but because of the position he plays. Elite offensive tackles are always at a premium, and Tennessee knows the value of stacking talent in the trenches. Von Brandt has the tools to be a cornerstone left tackle at the next level, and his recruitment is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched stories in the 2027 class.