Brandon Arrington is officially entering the spotlight—and not just because he clocks a blistering 10.33 in the 100-meter dash. The five-star CB and two-sport phenom out of Spring Valley, California, has become one of the most sought-after recruits in the 2026 cycle. Nearly 50 programs came knocking, but the elite athlete has whittled his list to five college football powerhouses: Alabama, Penn State, Texas A&M, Oregon, and USC. And now, the gamesmanship begins—on and off the field. With official visits locked in through June, whispers around the recruiting circuit are growing louder. There’s a leader, there’s a sleeper, and there’s a looming decision that could shake up the pecking order in the SEC and beyond.

Zach Seyko, host of Locked On Nittany Lions, peeled back the curtain on how this heavyweight recruiting bout is shaping up. While optimism exists inside the Penn State war room, Seyko didn’t sugarcoat the odds. “I can’t say that Penn State is the favorite, but they have a fighter’s chance. This one isn’t a complete long shot, if you will, but I would say that it is less than likely,” he said. The challenge? Geography, momentum, and a crowded field of bluebloods. Yet, Penn State has already proven it can pull California talent eastward, having landed Darius Dixon and Troy Hune from the Golden State. That track record gives James Franklin some runway to operate.

Still, the winds seem to be blowing toward College Station. “Just gathering some intel and seeing what other recruiting experts might say about this one is that Texas A&M… they have an official visit at the beginning of June… they would be the unsaid leader in this recruitment,” Seyko added. With Arrington scheduled to hit PSU first on May 2, followed by a June 5 visit to Texas A&M, James Franklin and his staff are on the clock to make a lasting impression. This month becomes a pressure cooker. They’ll need to sell more than just tradition—they’ll have to outpitch Mike Elko’s high-stakes, NIL-fueled recruiting operation.

It’s not just about A&M and Penn State. USC, Oregon, and Alabama also remain in play, with three more official visits following the College Station trip. According to Seyko, “As of this point in time, Alabama and Georgia do not have an OV for him. So probably won’t get a little more clarity for this until the later part of June, maybe early July after Arrington goes there.” That slight—no official for Georgia—has already closed one door. The Bulldogs were once in his top six but are now out of the running. This leaves room for Oregon’s hyper-aggressive recruiting machine and USC’s West Coast familiarity to muscle their way into the final round of decision-making.

Brandon Arrington, for his part, has stayed grounded through the chaos. The Mount Miguel High School standout is a model of composure for a teenager juggling both track and elite football. His statement to On3 in March shed light on his values: “I am about relationships and who’s been in it with me. I can see myself at any of these schools and they all know how to develop players.” That emphasis on trust, connection, and development could prove pivotal in a recruiting landscape often clouded by NIL noise and hype-driven visits.

And make no mistake—Arrington is a program-changer. Not just because he’s a five-star with elite athletic measurables, but because he’s the type of versatile DB who can shadow WR1s in man coverage, line up in the slot, or blanket deep thirds with natural instincts. It’s go time for the Nittany Lions.

Clock’s ticking, can Penn State win over 5-Star Brandon Arrington

The race to land star ATH Brandon Arrington is heating up. Aggies may be the quiet frontrunner, Penn State just might have the perfect window to shake things up.

Arrington’s recruiting journey is far from over. He has a commitment date locked in after a visit to Oregon, where the Ducks will get the final word before July 5. Penn State finds itself in a rare and crucial position. They’ve got time. As the PSU insider put it, “But there’s a little bit of a gap here. Maybe he squeezes those official visits into Alabama and Georgia, but it’s Penn State where he gets a lot of time to think if Penn State has anything going for it.”

This isn’t just a quick stop in Happy Valley. Arrington will have weeks to sit with the impact of his Penn State visit while he returns home and takes a breather before heading to College Station. “James Franklin and the Nittany Lions have at least a month, right, for that official visit to really resonate with Arrington as he goes back home, as he goes to California. And then until Texas A&M gets to pick things back up in the first week of June…” James Franklin has one month to conjure up a pitch powerful enough to derail an SEC giant and reel in a potential All-American.