LaVar Arrington is one of the greatest linebackers in Penn State history. He was a First Team All-American his junior year at Penn State and won both the Butkus and Bednarik Awards.
Arrington was drafted No. 2 overall in the 2000 NFL Draft, and made three Pro Bowls throughout his NFL career.
Now, the Nittany Lions have his son, Lavar Arrington II, and he might be a valuable piece for Penn State later in 2025.
LaVar Arrington II Could Be A Factor Late In 2025
Arrington II was a four-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, and decided to graduate early and enroll at Penn State in January. The son of the Nittany Lion legend is wearing No. 11, just like his dad.
"Graduating early is a huge advantage to be able to get those spring reps in the new system," linebackers' coach Dan Connor said (h/t SI.com). "And in a system like this — that's a complex system, it's close to an NFL system — that's going to take time. He has steadily progressed to be able to play Mike. You're playing quarterback of a tough defensive system."
Head coach James Franklin added that Arrington, athletically, is doing some exciting things, and joked that he doesn't know why, but Arrington looks good in No. 11 - the number his dad wore.
Arrington is just a freshman, but he's impressed the coaching staff already. He's getting reps as a middle linebacker, in control of the defense.
LaVar Arrington II in action pic.twitter.com/RgHgxDOpoW
— Joel Haas (@Joel_Haas1) August 19, 2025
However, with upperclassman ahead of him in the depth, Penn State wants to be strategic with how it uses him.
"LaVar is a super-talented young man, and we’ve had a lot of discussions about him," Franklin said on a recent edition of the Penn State Coaches Show (h/t SI.com). "He could help us right now on special teams. What we struggle with is, we get four games with those guys [to play before using their redshirt], and we want to make sure we're using those wisely.
"Late in the season I think he's going to have a chance to maybe help on defense and special teams, so we're building toward that."
With Arrington being just a freshman, the Nittany Lions will redshirt him in 2025, limiting the amount he can play this season. However, postseason games don't count toward a players' redshirt eligibility.
If Penn State makes the College Football Playoffs, the Nittany Lions could unleash Arrington in whatever ways they'd like. So far in 2025, Arrington has grown and developed under his position coach, and it seems like the only thing holding him back is the redshirt requirements.
From Penn State football practice, a few reps with freshman LB LaVar Arrington II.
— Mark Wogenrich (@MarkWogenrich) August 2, 2025
Arrington worked under the watchful eyes of two All-American linebackers: position coach Dan Connor and his dad. pic.twitter.com/XeaP8ML4Wz
"Over the past three weeks in particular, it's been impressive to watch him operate," Connor said (h/t SI.com). "You know, he has all the tools. I mean, he's big, he's fast, he's twitchy, he can rush the passer. He can do pretty much anything. But it's been really encouraging to see him now operate as a level two linebacker, and not just as a level two linebacker but as the Mike linebacker, the main communicator."
"His progress has been good. I mean, he's got the right mindset. He's a humble kid. He's a quiet kid. He wants to work, he wants to learn. And it's steadily coming along."
Although Arrington may not see a lot of playing time until later in the season, the freshman's growth through three weeks has been exponential.
Another Arrington hitting the field for the Nittany Lions would be an exciting site to see for Penn State fans.