Virginia Tech remains firmly entrenched in the national recruiting picture, and that reality was reinforced Sunday afternoon when 2027 offensive tackle Layton Von Brandt released his top eight schools. The Hokies were included alongside Penn State, Ohio State, LSU, Florida, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and Auburn, placing them in elite company early in what is expected to be a highly competitive recruitment.
NEWS: Elite 2027 OT Layton von Brandt is down to 8 Schools, he tells me for @RivalsThe 6’6 270 OT from Middletown, DE is ranked as a Top 40 Recruit in the 2027 Rivals300Where Should He Go?https://t.co/nahnWxx3SIpic.twitter.com/vFwAIYSDpu
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 21, 2025
Von Brandt, a Delaware native from Middletown, has already established himself as one of the premier prospects in the 2027 class. A consensus top-100 recruit, he has started at left tackle for two seasons at the high school level, a notable achievement for a player still early in his development. He also has national exposure on his résumé, having participated in the UA All-American Game, an event reserved for the country’s top high school talent.
Physically, Von Brandt checks many of the boxes college programs look for at the offensive tackle position. He stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 270 pounds, giving him the length and frame to project to the next level. Like most young linemen, additional weight and strength development will be necessary before he is ready to contribute in college, but his size, athleticism and experience at a premium position make him one of the more intriguing offensive line prospects in the cycle.
Franklin will recruit at a high level
Virginia Tech’s inclusion in Von Brandt’s top eight is significant, particularly given the caliber of programs involved. Each school on the list has a strong history of offensive line development and national recruiting reach, making this a clear statement about how the Hokies are being viewed on the trail. Competing head-to-head with multiple traditional powers for a top-100 offensive lineman speaks to the staff’s ability to identify and evaluate high-end talent early…