Penn State picks up commitment from legacy recruit LaVar Arrington II

The son of a Penn State legend is following in his father’s footsteps.

LaVar Arrington II committed to the Nittany Lions’ 2025 recruiting class on Thursday. The son of Penn State great LaVar Arrington announced his decision on social media.

Arrington II is a three-star linebacker from Charter Oak High School in Covina, Calif. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound prospect is ranked as high as the No. 39 linebacker in the country, per on3.

Arrington II picked James Franklin and the Nittany Lions over offers from 15 other schools, including Michigan, Missouri and Oregon. Arrington II took three visits last month: UCLA, Tennessee and Penn State — and the Nittany Lions won out.

This is a win for the Nittany Lions to not only bring in a legacy prospect, but a linebacker with potential. Penn State wanted another linebacker in the 2025 class after losing D.J. McClary, who flipped to Rutgers last month. Arrington II is the third linebacker in the class, joining Alex Tatsch and Dayshaun Burnett, who might ultimately move to defensive end.

Arrington II is the 21st member of Penn State’s vaunted 2025 recruiting class, which ranks as high as No. 6 nationally on Rivals. Arrington II is the 10th player to commit to Penn State’s class in the last month, continuing an impressive run for Franklin and his staff.