Legacy commitments are always a popular topic among not just Penn State fans but all major college football fanbases. The Nittany Lions have seen their fair share of them under James Franklin’s leadership. However, the most recent one they picked up on July 4 from linebacker LaVar Arrington II is unlike many of those prior commitments for more than one reason.
On one hand, the name alone grabs the attention of fans the way few others could. In addition to being a two-time first-team All-American, as well as winning the Bednarik and Butkus awards as a player, LaVar Arrington’s presence around State College is still felt regularly. You won’t find many former players whose voice is still as prevalent within Penn State’s community today.
And that’s also why it’s so intriguing that his son’s recruitment was arguably the quietest of any player in the 2025 class. Publicly, we know Arrington II picked up an offer from Penn State in Nov. 2023, but aside from that, much of his recruitment went under the radar. Part of that is because his family connections to the school provided him with multiple opportunities to visit when no one was watching. The fact that he’s also not one to seek media attention also played a role.
“You can’t mistake him being quiet and reserved for being anything other than what he truly is,” said Charter Oak head coach Dom Farrar. “He’s an old soul, if that makes sense. He’s wise beyond his years and is emotionally intelligent and observant.
“Obviously, he’s a product of his environment in terms of what he’s been exposed to. But I think his parents have done beautifully in terms of knowing what his why or his purpose is. He’s just so grounded and focused. He keeps the main thing, the main thing.”
But for a player whose name carries plenty of expectations, it wasn’t until his sophomore year that Arrington really broke into Charter Oak’s varsity squad. While that’s normal for many Division I prospects, Farrar is more so appreciative that the expectations placed on Arrington II have never once been a disruption for his football program.
“His sophomore year is really when he kind of came of age and developed an identity and had a role for us,” Farrar said. “That’s what’s been so refreshing and rewarding with his parents. I give them so much credit because they’re just such genuine people and they’ve been so authentic about his development and his growth. They’ve been as focused on him socially and emotionally. How he performs in the classroom and how he conducts himself as a young man is just as important or more than his development as a football player.
“So, he’s never once gotten preferential treatment. He’s never been anybody that’s acted like he’s entitled. He’s just a humble, hungry kid that’s cut from a different cloth.”
A Breakout Season
While Arrington II had a solid debut season as a sophomore, totaling 35 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and five sacks, he took things to a different level this past year. His tackles nearly doubled, finishing the year with 65 total. He didn’t quite reach the same level in tackles for loss with 2.5, but he more than made up for that with his pressure on the quarterback.
Not only did Arrington finish with 12 sacks in 13 games, but he also had nine quarterback hurries.
“I would say that last year, right around the midway point of the season, that’s when he started taking games over,” Farrar said. “I affectionately call him a unicorn now. I’ve never seen an athlete in over 30 years be able to do what he does on the football field, especially on the defensive side of the field. Honestly, if we chose to, he’s a kid that could literally play every position on the field.”
Farrar said there are a few areas that distinguish the future Penn State player from previous players he’s worked with.
“What I think separates him more than anything is his short-area quickness and his violent hands. He really wins the line of scrimmage,” Farrar said. “But also, when you watch him, he is just so dominant at the point of attack. When you watch him with backfield sacks and tackles and how he disengages blocks and his quarterback pressures, he’s just relentless and ruthless with his pursuit of the ball.
“What I’ve been probably most impressed with, which many kids at his age haven’t mastered yet, are his hips through contact. It’s just incredible. His ability to play in space and get open-field tackles really stands out. His pursuit of the football is awesome to watch.”
What’s Next?
At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, you’ll find plenty of discussion when it comes to where Arrington II fits best when he does arrive at Penn State. Right now, considering his size, linebacker would seem to make the most sense. However, it’s also important to note that he’s also added around 20 pounds since the end of last season.
“He’s had a heck of an offseason and that’s a testament to his work ethic and his discipline,” Farrar said. “He’s just kept getting bigger, faster and stronger in the offseason. What’s even more impressive about that is that he also ran track for us this spring. He had an unofficial time that was sub-11 [seconds]. But he’s one of those kids that just knows how to strain. He’s comfortable being uncomfortable, and that’s been really rewarding to see.”
When you consider his overall growth in such a short amount of time, that’s what makes that edge rusher or linebacker debate a fascinating one to follow in the coming years. Defenses in the Big Ten are much different today compared to in the 90s, but if he can bring even a portion of the athleticism that his father showed at Penn State, there are a lot of ways defensive coordinator Tom Allen could use him.
“I think genetically, as well as what he’s been exposed to and has probably studied more than anything, makes him a really good outside linebacker or defensive end type. I think he’s great at rushing the passer, kind of like a stand-up edge.
“But with that in mind, he’s an instant mismatch. He has that uncanny ability where he can play off the edge or he can stand up and play in space. He could play inside, too. Wherever you put him, you’re putting him someplace where you know he’s just going to wreak havoc and and exploit that mismatch. So that’s, what’s so fun kind about having him on your team. Wherever you line him up, everybody knows he’s going to take advantage of his gifts and talents. I’m excited to see what he does his senior year. You can’t teach that motor. You can’t coach that motor.”
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