EXCLUSIVE – Why 4-Star OT Layton von Brandt Put Penn State Back in Top 4 After Decommitment

The four-star and top-100 overall recruit out of Delaware always made it clear after he initially committed that as long as Coach Trautwein was in Happy Valley so would he.

That’s why once Trautwein headed down south to his Alma mater, at the University of Florida, it wasn’t too surprising to see von Brandt step back from his pledge.

What is surprising is how Penn State made it back into his good graces.

von Brandt just released his final four programs, and has the Nittany Lions firmly in the hunt.

So, how did the coaching staff persuade him to rethink about Penn State?

“I’ll be honest,” von Brandt recently told NittanyCentral during an expansive conversation. “At first, I was appreciative but maybe a little skeptical or standoffish just because I had such a great relationship with the previous staff. I loved Penn State as a school obviously, and because of the respect I had for the program. I included them in my top-eight,  but I was starting all over again from scratch from a relationship standpoint and wasn’t sure how it would play out.

“I hit it off pretty early with coach Clanton. He is a dudes dude, so that part was kind of easy.

“But, as a whole they just kept recruiting me , letting me know I was a priority to them, and just kept building that relationship and just always asking me to give them a shot and come to campus to see them coach and share what they had as a vision for their program and for me.  So that’s what I did.”

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Q&A: Layton von Brandt on Penn State, Development, and Official Visits

Nittany Central sat down with von Brandt for a one-on-one to talk about where he is now, what he is looking for in a program and what his future plans are when it comes to making the ultimate decision on where he’s going to play at the next level.

NittanyCentral: I know you really took your time on this, so I ask, why these four? 

Layton von Brandt: “All four of the schools in my top 4 have key pieces I am looking for, in a school. All are big-time programs with great educations, and  all have things  that can help me reach my ultimate goal of getting to the NFL.”

NittanyCentral: What are the top three things you are focusing on when making your final decision?    

von Brandt: The top 3 things that will ultimately lead to me choosing where   will commit are  probably

1. Fit  – Which offense fits my skillset, and can I see a reasonable path to get on the field as soon as possible. I know I will have to work to get on the field wherever I go as a freshman, and even a sophomore, but all I need is a plan and a path, and I’ll do the rest.

2. Development- I want to win college football games and get a great degree but i also want to play in the nfl . What staff and situation can help me achieve that goal the best . That scheme that translates, technique and physcal development all of it is a huge part of it.

3 . Relationships- I want to surround myself with people that I believe in and that believe in me, and people I trust. So when adversity hits and it will I am around people that will help me overcome it and that won’t give up on me.

I really do believe all of the schools on my list do a lot if not all of these things. It will just come down to who I believe does it the best and where my heart tells me is home. I change day to day where I’m leaning that’s why I felt it was necessary to take the OVs.

To be honest with you, I had hoped I’d be sure after my spring visits and could commit but I wasn’t quite there yet . I’ve met some amazing people this spring and am blessed with all these opportunities. I’m gonna do my best to separate them and pray on it and make a decision but I know it won’t be easy. I want to be wrapped up and committed by July 1

NittanyCentral: When is your official visit scheduled with Penn State? 

von Brandt: June 2-4 is my OV to PSU. I had to do a mid-week because my brother graduates from high school on the 6th, and I wouldn’t miss that.

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