Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, one of the best defenders in college football, announced on Thursday that he intends to enter the 2026 NFL Draft following his junior season.
Reese, listed at 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds by the Buckeyes, is a dual-threat terror -- as an off-ball linebacker and as a rusher from the edge. Leading one of the best defenses in college football, Reese finished the 2025 season with 69 tackles (10 for losses), 6.5 sacks and two defended passes in 14 games, earning consensus All-America status.
Reese, who turned 20 years old prior to the start of the 2025 season, figures to be one of the younger prospects in the entire class. He was a part-time starter on a deep OSU defense the prior two seasons, seeing limited action as a true freshman in 2023 and notching 43 tackles (3.5 for loss) and half a sack in 2024.
The long-armed, highly athletic Reese’s best football is in front of him. He’s extremely rangy, with the ability to cover more ground than most linebackers in coverage and run pursuit. He flashes great closing ability, too. Reese has played multiple LB spots for the Buckeyes and was weaponized by OSU defensive coordinator (and former NFL coach) Matt Patricia for a unit that allowed an FBS-best 9.3 points per game.
Reese’s development and deployment at the next level will be interesting and likely will depend on what type of scheme he lands in. He might need to grow into a role as his frame and instincts develop. But the NFL team that drafts Reese can use him in a hybrid role as a rusher and in a two-point stance. He'll be able to swarm offenses from multiple angles.