In 1997, the Internet was nowhere near as popular as today, and neither were football recruiting services. One year later, Rivals.com was born. It was the first online recruiting hub that ranked high school players. But even before social media, when you heard the name LaVar Arrington, you knew he would be a superstar.
With Arrington, you didn’t know if he would be a running back, track star, or basketball. He was a phenomenal athlete.
Arrington also played linebacker at North Hills High School in Pittsburgh. He signed with Penn State—”Linebacker U,” and it was a match made in heaven.
In three years with the Nittany Lions, Arrington did not disappoint. While he was best known for the “LaVar Leap,” Arrington also won the Chuck Bednarik Award, Dick Butkus Award, and Lambert Award. He finished his as a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection and was a unanimous All-American in 1999.
He entered the 2000 NFL draft, where he was the No. 2 pick by the then-Washington Redskins. Arrington’s career got off to a phenomenal start, but injuries and clashes with defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and, more importantly, owner Dan Snyder led to a disappointing ending to his time in Washington.
He played for the Giants for one year in 2007 and retired after being injured in a motorcycle accident.
Now, Arrington’s son — LaVar Arrington II — is headed to play college football. And, no surprise, he’s following his famous father to Happy Valley to play for the Penn State Nittany Lions.
BREAKING
Arrington’s father was a Unanimous All-American with the Nittany Lions.
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— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) July 4, 2024
Arrington looks a lot like his father. He is a 6-foot-4, 215-pound linebacker prospect from Charter Oak High School in Covina, California. According to 247Sports, Arrington is a three-star prospect and the 570th overall player in the 2025 recruiting class.
Many Washington fans will always hold a special place in their hearts for Arrington, wishing things could’ve gone differently.
Congratulations to the Arrington family.