BREAKING: Son of Penn State football icon commits to the Nittany Lions

After rattling off one of the most impressive recruiting hauls in the country during June, James Franklin and Penn State football are ready to keep the momentum surging into July. The first domino of the month has fallen for the Nittany Lions, as linebacker/defensive athlete LaVar Arrington II, son of the Penn State icon and College Football Hall of Famer, has made his commitment to join the 2025 recruiting class.

Sean Fitz of Blue White Illustrated logged a prediction in On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine for the Penn State football legacy to join the Nittany Lions’ class earlier this week. Arrington is rated as a three-star recruit by both On3 and 247Sports. On3 ranks the Charter Oak (California) prospect as the No. 39 linebacker in the 2025 recruiting cycle, while 247Sports grades him as the No. 61 athlete in the class.

The Nittany Lions did not have to wait long for this prediction to become reality. Arrington made his decision official on Thursday with an Independence Day commitment to Penn State.

🚨BREAKING🚨 2025 LB LaVar Arrington II has committed to Penn State🦁

Arrington's father was a Unanimous All-American with the Nittany Lions.

More from @GregPickel: https://t.co/aqbK11pKYB pic.twitter.com/hezYHtkb65

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) July 4, 2024

LaVar Arrington II has made three trips to Penn State as a prospect. The most recent – his official visit – came on June 21. The others were earlier this year.

In addition to Penn State, Tennessee and UCLA played heavily in Arrington’s recruitment.

Penn State football dominates June recruiting trail

Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Despite losing two commitments, it was a strong conclusion to the month of June on the recruiting trail for James Franklin and the Nittany Lions.

Penn State football landed nine commitments in the 2025 recruiting cycle since June 10, seven of which came on the defensive side of the ball. As a result, the Nittany Lions were called one of the recruiting winners of the month by On3.

The Nittany Lions will now look to put polish on the class, with several of the program’s top wide receiver targets, including Lex Cyrus and Taz Williams, set to commit this month,

Before Arrington’s commitment, Penn State football had the No. 9 class in 247Sports’ 2025 recruiting cycle rankings, while On3 had the Nittany Lions at No. 13 nationally.

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