Notre Dame football is fresh off another massive recruiting weekend. One of the more important visitors during the event was 2027 Middletown (Delaware) Appoquinimink four-star offensive tackle Layton von Brandt, who has been a priority target for the Fighting Irish for some time now.

There has been nothing but good vibes around the von Brandt following that trip, and honestly, it has felt that way for a long time. In a lot of ways, this recruitment feels eerily similar to Owen Strebig back in the 2025 recruiting class. Like Strebig, other top programs have continued to pursue von Brandt, but it just feels like the Fighting Irish are in no threat of being eclipsed for his services.

We will know pretty soon just how much of a chokehold head coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish have on this recruitment. Von Brandt has set a commitment date for July 1. The Delaware native will be selecting between Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, LSU, Tennessee, Florida, Auburn, and Virginia Tech. There are some impressive options on the table.

From a talent perspective, there is a lot to love about von Brandt. He has the combination of foot quickness and length that projects incredibly well at offensive tackle on the next level. His physical tools are exciting, and some of the best overall in the 2027 offensive tackle class.

As of today, I do believe Notre Dame would be the selection for von Brandt. With a commitment date now in place, it is all about closing the deal. The Irish have the target on their back in this recruitment. We will see if they can finish it off.

Layton Von Brandt’s recruiting background

Von Brandt is considered a four-star player by all major recruiting platforms and a near-consensus top-100 player by each. On the 247 Sports Composite ranking, Von Brandt ranks as a top-60 player, including sitting as the No. 59 overall player, the No. 6 offensive tackle, and the No. 1 player in the state of Delaware for the 2027 recruiting class. That is not a traditional area for Notre Dame to target, but Von Brandt is just that good and could be bordering on five-star status in the end.

Even before Von Brandt committed to the Nittany Lions in November of 2025, there was a long list of impressive suitors who 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, Ohio State, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Florida State, Missouri, Auburn, Indiana, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Boston College, Virginia, UNC, Stanford, Syracuse, and Rutgers, among several others.