A factory that stays churning and a lineage that keeps building- brick by brick. Or rather, stick by stick. Now Happy Valley has been a conveyor belt of talent across position groups over the years. They’ve been especially successful at developing running backs, as epitomized by Saquon Barkley. They’ve even got the CFB version of Sonic and Knuckles creating havoc in the backfield right now in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. However, there’s one position group that’s becoming synonymous with Nittany Lions football. What makes it more mythical and transcendent is that the greats they’ve spawned in said position group have all donned the same jersey number. PSA: Penn State have only gone and done it again, folks.
Boy is St1X C1Ty is a real place. That #11 at PSU isn’t merely a jersey- it’s a badge of honor. Ever since the legendary linebacker LaVar Arrington chose to don it, them threads have become royalty. It’s almost as if that jersey has the Midas’ Touch. Wear it and you’re a future first-round draft pick. After a collegiate career that saw him receive with countless accolades and a Unanimous All-American spot, Arrington took his talents to the pros. He was drafted 2nd overall by the then-Redskins and continued exactly where he left off in college. 3x Pro Bowls and 2 All-Pro teams while still on his rookie scale contract. Unfortunately, Arringtons’ career was cut short after a motorcycle incident forced him to retire at 29. But the world is nothing if not poetic, as you’ll learn.
Well, LaVar Arrington then passed the proverbial baton and the very literal onus of that #11 shirt to Micah Parsons. Arguably the best pass rusher in the NFL today, the guy was just as big a menace with Penn State. Bestowing Micah with the #11 shirt made sense since he wasn’t just another star linebacking prospect- before of course transitioning to EDGE- he was also a Pennsylvania native same as his predecessor. Micah’s only raised the bar high since Arrington, and is not widely expected to receive the biggest non-QB contract in NFL history when he signs his extension with the Cowbows. Who picked him 12th overall. Micah Parsons is reportedly due to receive a gaudy $41 million per year, after Myles Garrett and then JaMarr Chase reset the market earlier this off-season.
Speaking of Pennsylvania natives transitioning from linebacker to EDGE, the 3rd of kin in this lineage is Abdul Carter. A phenom who solidified the mystique of St1x C1ty and is going to be a top-5 pick in next month’s draft. Conservatively, that is.Now that Carter’s vacated the #11, you’d think the jersey shall remain unoccupied for the foreseeable. Keep the throne warm while you deem someone is indeed worthy of it. Turns out, HC James Franklin and the program have found an instant successor. LaVar Arrington’s legacy that’s still got additional room, meet LaVar Arrington II. Yes, his son has just come over to Penn State and received instant gratification. The first pictures of him in those iconic threads did the rounds on social media, and people were pleasantly surprised by more than just the number in front.
LaVar Arrington II getting handed the #11 isn’t just to make for a cute story or a product of nepotism. On look at him and you’d realize exactly why he’s earned it. A 4-star recruit, Arrington II came to State College with some baggage and expectation. Turns out, he brought along a whole lot of muscle and brawn too. Only 17, he looks jacked! After stills and video footage of Arrington II in spring camp came out, the football verse unanimously expressed two feelings. Bemusement at how Penn State continue finding pass rushers to add to the lore, and shock at how physically ready this true freshman already looks to give opposition QBs PTSD-flaring flashbacks of Abdul Carter.
There was never a doubt LaVar Arrington’s son will go to school at PSU despite being born and brought up on the Pacific coast. St1x C1ty’s expanded its horizons past in-state recruits and onto California. In the comments section of the aforementioned post, a hoard of fans let rip their thoughts on those LaVar Arrington II images. Here’s a selection of some of the best responses:
Social media reacts to the first look in Penn State colors for LaVar Arrington II
The most-liked comment on that Sports Illustrated IG post reads “Why are they breeding Micah parsons every year” It really is a scary proposition how seamlessly Penn State seem to get elite, or in LaVar Arrington’ case potentially elite pass rushers. He’s a linebacker- for now. But we know Micah and Abdul were also cultivated to play in the front 4 with time. “They got a Micah Parsons factory in Pennsylvania?” and “Micah the 3rd” were two comments that reiterated the same sentiment.
“Penn state linebackers needa get nerfed” wrote one person. The B1G has another team famous for elite linebackers that get passed on the same digits. Number 55 at USC, also etched in CFB folklore. Owing to Arington’s physique, one fan said “Genes don’t fall far from the apple tree” Old-man LaVar sure was getting plenty of love. “Not just anybody get 11 … hopefully he ball like his daddy did ” wrote another.
One comment that summed up this revelation perfectly was “They can’t keep doing this lol” This archetype of player really does seem to get spawned out of thin air out at PSU. Alas, it’s worth reinforcing LaVar Arrington is only 17. There’s promise, but he needs time to begin fulfilling it. Akin to another Penn State teammate of his. The last thing he needs right now is the pressure that stems from his name and number. That said, him taking on that number off the bat shows this kid’s got some mettle about him. It’ll be worth keeping tabs on this one, stash away some stocks from early. The proof is in the pudding- that #11 is 3/3.
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