Penn State football’s Class of 2027 got a boost on special teams on Monday.
Long snapper Clayton Powell was on an official visit with the Nittany Lions over June 5-7, accompanying the 25 other recruits on campus for the loaded weekend.
Powell was one of two commitments already that came out of the visits, joining three-star safety Caleb Cooper as the newest members of Penn State's recruitment class. Before the weekend, he was one of seven uncommitted prospects. Now, just five remain, but head coach Matt Campbell should anticipate another two coming soon in four-star wide receivers Khalil Taylor and Deshawn Hall.
COMMITTED!!!! #WEARE 🦁🦁🦁@CoachMC_PSU @CoachLustig @CoachLang22 @RoryWalling @PennStateFball @Lions247 @tyler_calvaruso @SeanFitzOn3 @SpecialTeamsU @HKA_Tanalski pic.twitter.com/vCB4FA034n
— Clayton Powell (@ClaytonPowell_) June 8, 2026
Three-star long snapper Clayton Powell commits to Penn State after official visit
Powell is a three-star recruit, according to Rivals Industry Rankings, and ranked No. 3 at his position. Per the Kohl's Scholarship camp, the long snapper from Lake Charles, La. is ranked 17th at his position and was given 4.5 stars following his performance.
“Powell made a strong impression at the 2025 Kohl’s National Scholarship Camp with his quick release and tight spiral. He finished the charting phase of camp with an average snap time of .68 seconds and the [fifth] highest charting score in the country for the 2027 class,” a coach from Kohl's Professional Camps wrote. “Powell has a long frame with room to put on quality weight. He was dialed in all weekend and displayed he can make an impact at the next level.”
Nittany Lions long snappers have found success in college and at the next level, Powell is possibly next in line.
Tyler Duzansky started at the position for the past three seasons, being named a finalist for the Patrick Mannelly award in 2025, which is given to the nation’s best long snapper. He signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent after the 2026 NFL Draft.
Prior to Duzansky, Chris Stoll was a four-year starter and won the Mannelly Award in 2022. He has been the Seattle Seahawks’ starter for three seasons and just came off a Super Bowl victory in February.
Penn State’s history at the position played a major part in bringing Powell into the fold.
“Penn State is Long Snapper U and the best program for my development on and off the field,” Powell told Blue-White Illustrated. “[Special teams coordinator Justin] Lustig and [assistant special teams coach Matt] Colangelo have a recent history of successful snappers and I look forward to continuing that legacy.”
Lustig and Colangelo visited Powell this spring, offering him shortly after. Powell committed to the blue and white after meeting Campbell on campus on his official visit. After that first visit with Lustig, though, the Nittany Lions had their sights set on Powell.
“I was offered a little while back by Coach Lustig and Coach Colangelo,” Powell said. “I just didn’t make it public until I talked with Coach Campbell on my OV. [My] recruitment with the special teams coaches really started to pick up after Coach Lustig came down to Louisiana to visit a few weeks ago.”
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