When elite 2027 Middletown (Delaware) Appoquinimink offensive tackle Layton Von Brandt decommitted from Penn State following the firing of head coach James Franklin, things moved incredibly quickly for the Notre Dame program.

Head coach Marcus Freeman, Joe Rudolph, and Co. quickly opted to offer the Delaware native, and many believed they became the frontrunners. Things were in a great place. 

With Von Brandt getting a second chance at the recruiting process, there was an intention not make an impulse decision. While the Fighting Irish were in a great spot and assumed to be the leader, Von Brandt was going to let the process play out. That can be unsettling, but things have continued to trend in a great direction for Notre Dame. 

That includes the Irish being selected as a finalist for the talented offensive lineman several weeks ago, being put inside of his top-eight schools. Notre Dame was joined by Ohio State, LSU, Penn State, Tennessee, Florida, Auburn, and Virginia Tech. It’s an impressive group of suitors, but Notre Dame had as good a chance as anyone. 

With a group of finalists known, the next natural question is what the decision timeline would be for Von Brandt. It appears we may have gotten that answer this past week, when the Delaware star posted that his target is around the start of his senior season. That means that the end of August-beginning of September should be when a decision and announcement come. 

I want to thank all the coaches that took the time to come visit me the past few weeks . It really meant a lot. I am getting my spring travel schedule together this week & can't wait to see everyone soon & move closer towards a decision around the start of my senior year ? ❓ pic.twitter.com/yueFRcHWHI

— Layton von Brandt? (@LaytonvonBrandt) January 31, 2026

As of today, I wouldn’t want to be anyone in this recruitment other than Notre Dame. With so many elite programs after Von Brandt, however, the Irish will have to be ready to battle. Rudolph has proven himself an elite recruiter since coming to South Bend, and this would be one of his biggest victories if he can close it out. 

Layton Von Brandt’s recruiting background

Von Brandt is considered a four-star player by all major recruiting platforms and a near-top-100 player on each. On the 247 Sports Composite ranking, Von Brandt ranks as a top-40 player, including sitting as the No. 38 overall player, the No. 5 offensive tackle, and the No. 1 player in the state of Delaware for the 2027 recruiting class. That is not a traditional state for Notre Dame to target, but Von Brandt is just that good and is bordering on five-star status.

Even before Von Brandt committed to the Nittany Lions in November of last year, a long list of impressive suitors had been pursuing the talented offensive lineman. The 6-6, 275-pound offensive tackle has an extremely impressive offer list.

Some of the top schools that have offered him include the Fighting Irish, Penn State, Georgia, Ohio State, Tennessee, Florida, Florida State, Missouri, Auburn, Indiana, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Boston College, Virginia, UNC, Stanford, Syracuse, and Rutgers, among several others.