Two Penn State freshmen are no longer eligible to redshirt the 2025 season.
Linebackers LaVar Arrington II and Alex Tatsch burned their redshirts in Penn State’s 37-10 victory against Nebraska on Saturday.
It’s not a decision that Penn State takes lightly. Interim head coach Terry Smith described the process of determining what’s most beneficial for players, their futures, and if they should see increased opportunities instead of redshirting their true freshman season.
“When it comes to those two guys or any guy going to burn their redshirt, we have conversations with their family,” Smith said. “We make sure they were in communication with them.”
Arrington II, son of Penn State legend LaVar Arrington, has the full support of his family.
“In LaVar’s case, we talked to Big LaVar, and they’re totally fine with it,” Smith said.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker played his fifth game against Nebraska, but didn’t record a tackle.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Tatsch, 6-foot-2, 231 pounds, played his best game as a collegiate athlete against the Cornhuskers. Latrobe High School’s all-time leader in tackles, Tatsch recorded five tackles, bringing his season total to 12.
“We talked to Alex Tatsch and his family and his high school coach as well to make sure,” Smith said.
After discussions with both families, Smith and the coaching staff decided it was best for them, and the players, to burn their red-shirt status and play meaningful reps to close the season, plus potentially a bowl game in December for additional opportunities and reps to put on tape for the future.
“So everyone was on the same page that it was the right thing to do,” Smith said. “And we had that open communication, so we’re good with it.”
5-6 Penn State plays 5-6 Rutgers on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., with the winner clinching a bowl-game bid this winter.
