The 2026 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Arvell Reese NFL Draft Profile.
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Position: Linebacker
School: Ohio State
Size: 6-foot-4, 243 pounds
Class: Junior
2025 stats: 69 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 2 passes defended
Reese was a four-star recruit in the class of 2023 who decided to stay in-state to play for the Buckeyes. He didn’t play much as a freshman, as he didn’t register a single tackle. Reese took a step forward in 2024, totaling 43 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. His play helped Ohio State win the national championship that season. Reese became a First Team All-American in 2025, as he helped the Buckeyes with 69 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
Following the 2025 season, Reese declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a top 10 pick.
He has great size and strength for an NFL linebacker. He stands at 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds, which makes him one of the bigger linebackers in the class. Even if he is moved to edge rusher, he will need to add strength, but he has solid measurables for that position as well. Reese’s frame looks like it can be filled out if he needs too. He has solid length for either position as well, which helps him shed blocks well.
For his size, Reese is an elite athlete. He has great acceleration and turns it into great speed. That shows up both on the edge when he is rushing the passer, but also when he is in pursuit of ball carriers. He has good agility and body control. Reese can get through traffic to make blocks, but can also bend around the edge as well. There won’t be many players that have his size and athleticism, making him a unique defensive prospect.
His versatility can be a real asset for a defense if they know how to use it. As a linebacker, he takes on blocks with determination and shows the ability to shed. He can make tackles on ball carriers with good pursuit. On the edge, he showed great proficiency despite not having the most experience. He has good pass-rush moves for such a young player who didn’t play the position full time. Defensive coordinators could move him around to really confuse offenses.
While the versatility is nice, if a team doesn’t have a plan on how to use him, he could become a tweener. He has been a solid linebacker, but could play a more premium position on the edge. Reese is still learning how to play on the edge, which may take time.
Reese can sometimes be fooled by offenses. He can be late getting to the football on running plays. When offenses run misdirection or read option, he can run the complete opposite way, putting him out of position. He can also be fooled by play action. Reese is still a young player learning how to stay disciplined.
He is capable in coverage, but he can sometimes lose track of receivers when he is in zone coverage. At times he shows good eyes, but other times he lacks the eye balance needed between the quarterback and the receiver. His athleticism gives him the skills to cover well, but he will need to stay locked in when in coverage to reach his potential.
Projected Draft Range: Top 10 Pick
Draft Grade: First Round Pick
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