New Era of Arrington Talent at Penn State: LaVar Arrington II Continues Family Legacy

Penn State fans eagerly await the arrival of LaVar Arrington II, a talented weakside defensive end who has committed to play football at Happy Valley. Arrington II, a three-star recruit from California, is ranked No. 41 by Rivals and had an impressive junior season at Charter Oak High School with 65 tackles and 12 sacks.

His decision to attend Penn State continues the legacy of his father, LaVar Arrington, who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame after an illustrious career at Penn State from 1997-99. During his time at Penn State, Arrington earned All-American honors and was a finalist for the 1999 Heisman Trophy.

After college, Arrington was drafted No. 2 overall in the 2000 NFL Draft by Washington and played in the NFL for several seasons. However, injuries forced him to retire after the 2006 season. Despite this setback, his impact on the football community has endured as he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

Now, it’s time for his son to make his mark on the field at Penn State. As part of James Franklin’s 2025 recruiting class, Arrington II is joined by other standout recruits like Mater Dei cornerback Daryus Dixson, ranked as a four-star recruit by Rivals. Together, these recruits are poised to carry on the family tradition of excellence on the football field at Penn State.

Arrington Sr.’s legacy at Penn State includes multiple awards and accolades such as All-America honors, Jack Lambert Trophy winner, Dick Butkus Award winner and Chuck Bednarik award winner among many others.

In an Instagram post, Arrington II expressed his excitement about joining the Penn State community and continuing his family legacy at the university.

Overall, LaVar Arrington’s son following in his footsteps is a testament to their family’s love for football and their commitment to excellence on the field.