Penn State may be getting a familiar name back in the lineup soon, and the question now is where that name fits best.
LaVar Arrington II, the son of College Football Hall of Famer and Penn State All-American LaVar Arrington, is expected to return after the bye week, Penn State coach Matt Campbell said this week. When he’s cleared to come back, the staff will sort out whether his future lies at linebacker or defensive end.
That decision matters because both spots have been areas of concern for Penn State, with production and health issues hanging over each room. Campbell said the team is still weighing how to deploy him in the spot that gives the defense the most help.
“It’s certainly a point of emphasis for us - where is that linebacker room? What’s the depth look like, and then how do we put Lavar in the best position for his skill set to be able to help have an impact on our football team?” Campbell said.
Arrington II saw action in seven games on special teams last season as a true freshman, though he didn’t record any counting stats. Even so, Campbell said the program believed he was making real progress before the injury struck earlier this year.
“The frustrating point for Lavar is you felt him growing, and you felt him coming along,” Campbell said. “He had a really tough injury at a really tough time. But I think first and foremost, we’re going to do what’s best for Lavar and try to put him in the best situation where he can create real impact for this team.”
In Other News...
Penn State Faces A New Injury Concern Before Michigan Showdown
Penn State got a little clarity, and a little more uncertainty, when the Big Ten-mandated availability reports came out ahead of Saturdays trip to Ann Arbor. Two starters were upgraded and removed from the report, which is the kind of update every staff wants to see this time of year, but a starting wide receiver was added as questionable, leaving the Nittany Lions with one more situation to monitor before they face Michigan.
Michigans report stayed unchanged, with players still spread across probable, questionable, doubtful and out designations. Penn State will have two more availability reports before kickoff, so the picture could shift again before the Nittany Lions take the field in one of the biggest games on their schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Offense May Be Forced Into A Shakeup At Worst Time
Penn States offense is still searching for a cleaner rhythm after a stretch in which the scoring has dried up at the wrong time. Offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser pointed to a few of the issues that have piled up, from the teams production in three Big Ten losses to the absence of wide receiver Koby Howard because of injury, all while the unit has continued to fight through red zone inconsistency.
Mouser also left open the possibility of changes up front, and freshman receiver Amarion Jackson could see more opportunities as the staff looks for a spark. The Nittany Lions have turned 14 of 26 trips inside the 20 into touchdowns, a mark that reflects both the promise and the frustration of an offense trying to find answers before the schedule gets any tighter. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Could Get A Needed Defensive Lift For Michigan
Penn State may be close to getting a boost on the defensive side as it prepares for Michigan, with linebacker Cam Smith listed as probable after missing five games because of injury. His return would give the Nittany Lions another experienced piece in the middle of the defense at a time when every healthy body matters, especially with a matchup like this one looming.
The availability report also points to more depth returning around him, with receiver Chase Sowell, defensive tackle Armstrong Nnodim and defensive end Yvan Kemajou all expected to play. Koby Howard, however, remains out, so Penn State is still not completely back to full strength as it tries to line up its best answers for a significant test. [Read more 🡒]