St1x C1ty will turn into P1x C1ty on Saturday morning.
Former Penn State linebacker LaVar Arrington will be the guest picker for ESPN’s “College GameDay” show on Saturday, which will be aired live from Old Main lawn from 9 a.m. to noon. The No. 3 Nittany Lions are set to host the No. 3 Oregon Ducks in Beaver Stadium at 7:30 that night in a highly anticipated matchup.
Arrington played for Penn State from 1997-99, earning first-team All-American status as a sophomore and unanimous All-American honors as a junior. He was also a two-time first-team All-Big Ten honoree and won a trio of national awards, including the Jack Lambert Trophy and Butkus Award for being the nation’s top linebacker and the Chuck Bednarik Award for being the top defensive player in college football.
He also produced one of the most iconic moments in program history when he jumped over the offensive line to secure a tackle for loss on fourth and short against Illinois in what later became known as the “LaVar Leap.”
The Washington Commanders selected Arrington No. 2 overall in the 2000 NFL Draft, and he spent six seasons playing for the organization before spending his final professional year with the New York Giants. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, but injuries shortened his career.
In recent years, Arrington has become heavily involved with the program, working with the Nittany Lions’ digital subscription platform “ROAR+” and frequently appearing at the team’s practices and games. His son, LaVar Arrington II, is also enrolled as a freshman linebacker this season.
Additionally, head coach James Franklin, the defending national champion women’s volleyball team and Ellie Sheehan, Penn State’s first female drum major, will appear as special guests on the show.
It’ll mark the 11th time “College GameDay” has been in State College, with the Nittany Lions holding a 5-5 record in previous appearances.
