Penn State Earns Commitment From Class of 2027 Specialist

Penn State has secured its future long snapper.

The Nittany Lions on Monday afternoon picked up a commitment from class of 2027 recruit Clayton Powell, who’s considered one of the top long snappers in the cycle despite being unranked by any major recruiting service.

Special teams coordinator Justin Lustig recently made a visit to see Powell work out and was impressed enough to extend an offer. After making an official visit to campus over the weekend, the decision was made.

By the time Powell arrives on campus next year, he’ll likely be one of two long snappers on the roster, joining Andrew Dufault who will be entering his redshirt junior campaign. That could change if the team adds a transfer, but there are no other long snappers in Penn State’s 2026 or 2027 recruiting classes, and projected 2026 starter Blaise Sokach-Minnick will have exhausted his college eligibility.

Powell is coming off his junior year at Sam Houston High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and is listed at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds. He also held offers from Arkansas and McNeese.

The Nittany Lions’ last two starting long snappers — Chris Stoll and Tyler Duzansky — both made NFL rosters after graduating, with the former winning a Super Bowl last season. Penn State’s recent track record of success at the position likely played a role in the decision.