Victory Bell Rings
Fansided

Creating Penn State Football’s version of Mt. Rushmore

By Alec Whitaker

31 Oct 1998: Linebacker La Var Arrington #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in action during the game against the Illinois Illini at the Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. The Nittany Lions defeated the Illini 27-0.
31 Oct 1998: Linebacker La Var Arrington #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in action during the game against the Illinois Illini at the Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. The Nittany Lions defeated the Illini 27-0. /
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5 Sep 1998: Outside linebacker LaVar Arrington #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in action during a game against the Southern Mississippi.
5 Sep 1998: Outside linebacker LaVar Arrington #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in action during a game against the Southern Mississippi. /

LB Lavar Arrington (1997-99)

Penn State is known as LinebackerU and one of, if not the best, linebackers to come through the program was Lavar Arrington.

Arrington terrorized Big Ten offenses in 1998 and 1999, being named a first-team All-American both seasons.

In 1998, Arrington made the most famous play in program history, “The Lavar Leap“. On a short yardage fourth down against Illinois, Arrington leaped over the offensive line and hit the ball carrier in the backfield, keeping him short of the first down.

In his two seasons as the star of Penn State’s defense, Arrington recorded 137 tackles with 37 for loss. He also had 17 sacks, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and two blocked field goals.

Arrington’s 1999 season is one of the best by any Penn State player ever, on either side of the ball. That season, he recorded 72 total tackles, 20 TFLs, 10 sacks, an interception and two blocked field goals.

This stellar season resulted in Arrington winning the Butkus Award (best linebacker), Chuck Bednarik Award (best defensive player) and Jack Lambert Trophy (top linebacker). He also finished ninth in Heisman voting.

These two memorable seasons resulted in Arrington being named to the College Football Hall of Fame last year. This great career also made him the No. 2 overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.

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