Like father, like son – LaVar Arrington II to Penn State

Outside linebacker LaVar Arrington II, son of former Penn State All-American and seven-year NFL veteran LaVar Arrington, announced his commitment to the Nittany Lions on Thursday.

Arrington II hails from Covina, California and was a two-way standout at Charter Oak High School where he totaled 65 tackles and 12 sacks during his junior season last fall. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound defender had offers from the likes of Michigan, Washington and Colorado and committed to his father’s alma mater after spring visits to Penn State, Tennessee and UCLA.

The elder Arrington authored a career worthy of the College Football Hall of Fame with the Nittany Lions from 1997-99, where he emerged as the nation’s most aggressive linebacker and was known for his “Lover Leap.” Arrington had 173 total tackles, 19 sacks and 3 interceptions with consensus honors in the 1999 season en route to back-to-back All-America selections. That same year, Arrington received the Butkus and Bednarik awards, along with the Jack Lambert Trophy, while finishing ninth in Heisman Trophy voting.

Arrington was later selected by the Washington Redskins with the No. 2 pick in the 2000 NFL Draft and earned three Pro Bowl selections in seven seasons in the pros. In retirement, Arrington began a successful media career with ventures into television and radio.

With his commitment, Arrington II becomes the 21st member of James Franklin’s 2025 class at Penn State, a group headlined by 10 ESPN prospects including Mater Dei cornerback Darius Dixon, No. 90 in the 2025 ESPN 300. In the ESPN national team rankings for the 2025 class.