Everyone in the college football recruiting world is circling July 5 on their calendars. Why, you ask? Because that’s when Brandon Arrington – the elite five-star two-way athlete of the 2026 class – will announce where his college future might be heading. While the California native from Mount Miguel High School has kept his recruitment relatively open, recent comments have added urgency for the Nittany Lions, especially with his five favourite programs appearing to gain ground. His top five options are Texas A&M, Penn State, Oregon, Alabama, and USC.

For Arrington, the road to five-star status has been paved by both physical ability and consistent production. At 6-foot-1 and nearly 180 pounds, he brings top-tier speed and versatility to the table. His track prowess adds another layer to his decision to shortlist this one particular program. Arrington aspires to compete in track and field at the collegiate level. Texas A&M’s elite T&F program might be a key differentiator.

Texas A&M is far ahead of the other four competitors, if field and tracking advantages are taken into consideration. A part of this credit goes to Mike Elko and his staff. Their relentless recruiting and pursuit of the five-star prospect might have helped them take the lead position.

In an appearance with On3, Arrington said, “Just the relationship I have with Texas A&M,” he added, “They were recruiting me the hardest, you know.” He’s been around the program throughout the year, and the Aggies’ elite track & field program may give them another edge. Elko sees him as a future cornerstone at cornerback, drawing comparisons to standout athlete Terry Bussey. Like Bussey, Arrington is a true hybrid. A cornerback with wide receiver instincts, speed, and the versatility to impact the game from multiple positions.

But the race is far from over. USC is making a serious late push, and with Arrington located right in their backyard, they’re a real threat. “USC, you know, it’s close to home,” he said. “I’ve got a great relationship with Coach Riley, and you know they’ve got a great football program and a great track program.”

Oregon and Alabama are also hanging in the mix, but Penn State’s upcoming official visit will be pivotal. James Franklin‘s staff is fully engaged and working to craft a pitch that hits on every level. Position, development, and track potential. Now, with July 5 looming, all five programs know there’s no margin of error left.

Brandon Arrington is built for speed, and every college program wants a ride

Brandon Arrington is redefining speed in both high school track and football circles. Clocked at a scorching 4.32 seconds in the 40-yard dash, the California native has been obliterating records and expectations alike.

At this spring’s Arcadia Invitational, Arrington stunned the crowd by smashing the previous 200-meter record held by Olympic champion Noah Lyles, finishing in 20.35 seconds. Just seven days later, he was back at it, this time torching the competition at the Mt. SAC Relays. He ran a 10.21 in the 100 metres and 20.44 in the 200, setting new meet records in both.

This is the kind of speed that college football coaches have been searching for. Also, Arrington isn’t a one-dimensional sprinter who dabbles in football. He’s a full-fledged, high-impact playmaker. On the gridiron, his junior season was a stat sheet stunner: 31 catches for 527 yards and five touchdowns, plus 52 yards and a score on the ground. Defensively, he added 26 tackles and three pass break-ups, showing off the versatility that has him ranked as the No. 9 overall player nationally in the 2026 recruiting cycle.

Wherever he ends up, one thing’s for sure. Brandon Arrington doesn’t just bring speed, he brings a complete package that can transform a roster from day one.