Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1535618
J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 5 2 1 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M individual and team success to the for- mer walk-on, and it can be used as a guidepost by the linebackers who are following him. "It's critical for these young guys to learn how to handle your business, how to be a pro, how to take care of your body and how to prepare, and he's done it the most authentic, real way possi- ble," Connor said. "It's not like he's a five-star coming in and telling you what to do. This guy worked himself from a walk-on up, from the ground up. "All of these young players who are hungry for knowledge and hungry to compete, they're learning from a guy who's living proof. The ultimate Penn State guy. They're learning from him, which is incredibly valuable. It takes all the heat off of me as a coach. I can let Dom do his thing." ■ Within the first few days of Penn State's spring football practices, the early buzz sur- rounding a pair of true freshman linebackers faced its first real test. Head coach James Franklin had already praised the strong foun- dation laid by the newcomers during winter workouts, but spring practice presented big- ger hurdles. Justin Lustig, Penn State's special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach, understood the challenge. "When they come out to their first practice, they've got to know the scheme, they've got to know the techniques. There's a lot on their plate," he said. "But they also have to know where to go on the field, what to wear, and how to carry themselves. There's just a lot for them to handle. "With a lot of these freshmen, you've got to get them to a point where they're not think- ing so much. Right now, a lot of them are still spinning a little bit, which is totally normal." That sentiment applied directly to Alex Tatsch and LaVar Arrington II. In the 6-2, 230-pound Tatsch, Penn State added a four- star recruit from the On3 Industry Ranking, one of the top prospects in Pennsylvania's 2025 class. Though he didn't play in the Blue- White Game, his performance to date sug- gested the potential to contribute as soon as this coming season in a linebacker corps that lacks depth. Arrington, meanwhile, brought everything that was advertised by the name — athleti- cism, length and size. Physically built like a veteran college player before ever taking a snap, the 6-3, 212-pound freshman stood out, even as he continued adjusting to the position and learning the intrica- cies of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles' scheme. Sizing up their performances, linebackers coach Dan Connor offered a mix of optimism and realism for their immediate and long-term futures. "They've got some elite traits — both of them. They already look like col- lege football players, and they should be going to prom right now," Connor said. "If you saw me at 18, midyear, I probably looked like I was 12. They look like grown men. They're physically developed. "They both had coaching. You can see it — the way they move, how they use their hands, how they get on and off blocks. They have a strong funda- mental foundation, which is a great head start." Still, Connor added, that head start comes with plenty of unknowns to be addressed. "It's about how fast can you process information? And then how fast can you do it on the field, 100 miles an hour? And then can you do it in front of 110,000 people? There are elements that go into it," Connor said. "It's baby steps, but it's been encouraging." Connor's optimism about the freshman linebackers doesn't stop with Ar- rington and Tatsch. With Cam Smith — ranked No. 37 nationally at the posi- tion in the 2025 class — set to join from St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia, Penn State is eager to accelerate the development of the group. "That class is my first as linebackers coach, so I'm really excited about it," Connor said. "It's super talented. They're really smart, motivated kids. They fit the room. They fit the mold of what we already have, so it's perfect. And hopefully, they develop quickly." — Nate Bauer Coaches See Potential In PSU's Freshman Linebackers LaVar Arrington II made his Penn State debut in the Blue-White Game. Coming out of Charter Oak High in Covina, Calif., Arrington was the No. 259 overall player and No. 29 linebacker in the 2025 class, per the On3 Industry Ranking. PHOTO COURTESY PENN STATE ATHLETICS