Penn State named finalist for five-star defender ahead of official visit

Penn State football is looking to cash in on its national brand exposure from its recent College Football Playoff run by landing a cross-country commitment from Mount Miguel (CA) cornerback Brandon Arrington. On Tuesday, the five-star defensive back named the Nittany Lions as one of his five finalists for his upcoming decision.

Along with his top five, Arrington also set his commitment date for July 5. Alabama, Oregon, Texas A&M, and USC are the other contenders for his pledge. In March, Arrington put out a top-six list that also included Georgia.

pic.twitter.com/1aw4MNOPGY

— Brandon “Dash”Arrington jr 5 🌟 (@brandonjubie2) April 29, 2025

James Franklin and Penn State football will soon have the opportunity to make a strong impression on the elite 2026 defender. The Nittany Lions will host Arrington for an official visit this weekend. The trip will be Arrington’s first from southern California to Happy Valley.

Arrington is currently the No. 1 cornerback and the No. 13 overall recruit in the On3 Industry Rankings for 2026. The 247Sports Composite ranks him as the nation’s top athlete and the No. 9  prospect regardless of position. In what would be a statement pickup for the Nittany Lions, Penn State currently holds commitments from four-star David Davis and three-star Julian Peterson at the position in the cycle.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation, one of the fastest-growing outlets covering Penn State athletics. Part of the Full Ride network, we are an alumni-owned and operated, credentialed media outlet dedicated to providing you with updated and reliable insights for all your favorite Nittany Lion sports. Whether it’s Penn State football, basketball, wrestling, or anything in between, you can find it all on Basic Blues Nation!

Please follow us on our social channels, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and subscribe to our newsletter on Substack for breaking news and notifications. For feedback, questions, or concerns, please email us at [email protected] or direct message us on social media.