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LaVar Arrington Jr., Son of NFL Pro Bowl LB, Commits to Penn State over UCLA, More

Tyler Conway@@jtylerconwayX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVJuly 4, 2024

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 30: A general view of the Penn State Nittany Lions logo during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Mississippi Rebels on December 30, 2023 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The LaVar Leap 2.0 is coming to Happy Valley.

LaVar Arrington II, the son of former Penn State linebacker LaVar Arrington, committed to the Nittany Lions on Thursday.

Blue White Illustrated @PennStateOn3

Penn State has added a July 4th commitment from California linebacker LaVar Arrington II. The newest Nittany Lion is the son of Penn State legend and College Football Hall of Famer LaVar Arrington. <br><br>Link: <a href="https://t.co/oKIojOudla">https://t.co/oKIojOudla</a> <a href="https://t.co/dYPJDRq5Zm">pic.twitter.com/dYPJDRq5Zm</a>

Arrington, a 3-star athlete out of Charter Oak High School in California, chose Penn State over UCLA and Tennessee.

Arrington, a 3-star athlete out of Charter Oak High School in California, chose Penn State over UCLA and Tennessee. He said his father has been an indispensable resource during the recruitment process.

"Having him helps me with making a decision," Arrington II told Matt Ray of On3. "He not only went through what I went through but he is smart and has a football mind too, so it is not like he is pressuring me to go to Penn State or anything like that. This is strictly my decision."

LaVar Arrington Sr. played for Penn State from 1997 to 1999, becoming one of the best linebackers in Nittany Lions history. He was a two-time All-American and won the 1999 Chuck Bednarik Award as the best player in college football. Known for his jaw-dropping athleticism, Arrington famously jumped over the Illinois offensive line in a 1998 game to make a tackle.

The Washington Commanders drafted Arrington with the No. 2 pick in the 2000 NFL draft, and he made three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams before injuries cut his career short.

Suffice it to say Arrington II has massive shoes to fill once he arrives in Happy Valley in 2025.