Top prospect lands with Nittany Lions

North Hills football coach Jack McCurry couldn't single out one play that defined LaVar Arrington. In fact, Arrington made so many outstanding plays look simply routine that McCurry didn't realize how good they were until he reviewed the game films.

Parade Magazine concurred, naming Arrington its player of the year. He signed his letter of intent to attend Penn State yesterday, along with 19 other high school seniors from across the country.

Arrington, who runs a 4.35-second 40, enters as the top prospect in the Nittany Lion Class of 2001 and the most skilled player in McCurry's 20 years at North Hills.

"I've sent a lot of kids to Penn State," he said, "but this kid, when you're recognized nationally as the best player . . . he's an exceptional talent."

It is not just the talent that draws in the scouts. Everybody looks for a player who feeds off the violence of the game, as Arrington does.

"He has the personality needed to play football because it's such a violent game," McCurry said. "It's a brutal game, and it's not for the weak at heart."

While Arrington may not be weak at heart, he does have a soft spot in his heart for those less fortunate than himself. He gives generously of his time to the Make-A-Wish foundation and Hands for Service, a school organization that helps with special education projects. Arrington even plans to major in special education at Penn State.

And more than likely, Arrington will make a contribution right away for the Lions. There will be no grooming him for later years. He is ready -- now.

"He'll play early at Penn State," McCurry said. "He'll be playing immediately."

Just as Arrington probably will play earlier than most other incoming freshmen, he committed earlier than a lot of his classmates, like Ron Graham of Penn Hills High School. Both will be Lions in the fall.

"We're friends," Graham said, "but we don't hang out together."

The duo may be roaming the field as linebackers together, but it was Arrington who was positive of his decision. He knew he wanted to come to Penn State -- he is so sure he has a tattoo of the Nittany Lion symbol.

"He made his choice so early that a lot of the schools respected his decision," McCurry said. "Once the coaching change (at Pitt) occurred, they tried to talk to him."

The Panthers couldn't sway him from his commitment to Penn State, and the Lions will be reaping the benefits of having the nation's best player, as McCurry has done for four years.

"He was a physical specimen as a freshman," he said. "He's a man now."

And a Nittany Lion.