Tennessee remains firmly in the mix for one of the top offensive line prospects in the Class of 2027 - and this recruitment is just getting started. Layton von Brandt, a 6-foot-6, 270-pound four-star tackle out of Appoquinimink High School in Middletown, Delaware, has narrowed his focus to eight programs, and the Vols are right there in the thick of it.
Von Brandt, who decommitted from Penn State in October following the dismissal of head coach James Franklin, announced his top eight schools on Sunday. His list includes four SEC programs - Tennessee, Florida, LSU, and Auburn - along with Ohio State, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, and his former commitment, Penn State.
This isn’t just any offensive line prospect. Von Brandt is a top-100 player nationally, ranked No. 66 overall and the No. 8 offensive tackle in the 2027 class by 247Sports.
The 247Sports Composite, which blends rankings from across the industry, is even higher on him - placing him at No. 38 overall and the No. 5 offensive tackle in the country. He also holds the distinction of being the top-ranked junior in the state of Delaware.
Tennessee offered von Brandt back in February, and while he hasn’t yet taken a visit to Knoxville, the Vols remain a serious player in this race. The competition, though, is stiff - and evolving.
Florida is emerging as a major contender, in large part due to a familiar face: former Penn State offensive line coach Phil Trautwein, who played a key role in von Brandt’s original commitment to the Nittany Lions. Trautwein is now part of new Gators head coach Jon Sumrall’s staff, and that connection is already paying dividends.
“I 100% will look at Florida,” von Brandt said recently. “They are one of my top options.”
He added that a visit to Gainesville is likely, but he’s taking a thoughtful approach to the next phase of his recruitment. “I obviously have to get down and meet Coach Sumrall and the rest of the staff and make sure the school is a fit for me academically and culture-wise, and that they see me as a fit, as well,” he said.
While Florida has momentum, Notre Dame is currently viewed as the frontrunner according to the lone prediction on the 247Sports Crystal Ball. The Fighting Irish hosted von Brandt for their home game against Navy on November 8, and that visit clearly left an impression.
Von Brandt’s stock has been on a steady rise, and scouts are taking notice. After his performance at the Under Armour Future 50 in June, 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins noted that von Brandt “had his moments” and wasn’t afraid to bring a little edge to his game. “He needs to add some mass,” Ivins wrote, “but has tools to mold for the long haul.”
That long haul includes a stop at the 2026 Under Armour All-America Game in DeLand, Florida, where von Brandt will suit up alongside some of the nation’s best.
With more visits on the horizon and a final decision still months away, von Brandt is keeping his options open - but his top eight gives us a clear picture of where things stand. Tennessee has done enough to stay in the conversation, but with programs like Florida and Notre Dame pushing hard, the Vols will need to make their move in the coming months.
One thing’s for sure: Layton von Brandt is a name to remember. He’s got the frame, the pedigree, and the potential to anchor a Power Five offensive line down the road. Now, it’s just a matter of where he decides to take that next step.