FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese.
2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Arvell Reese
Arvell Reese (LB – Ohio State)
6-foot-4 | 243 Pounds
Background
Arvell Reese was a four-star recruit out of Cleveland who played sparingly in six games as a true freshman. He started four games the following year, rotating in otherwise and finishing with a 43-3.5-0.5 line on just over 300 snaps. Earned All-American honors this past season, with a 69-10.0-6.5 line, playing on the edge much more than he had in 2024.
Positives
Reese is a hybrid linebacker/EDGE rusher whose trajectory is pointing way up after a huge junior year. Tall and long-limbed player with an athletic build. Was asked to do a little bit of everything in school, from working as a traditional off-ball linebacker to playing off the edge to shading over slot receivers. Shows good patience to diagnose in the run game and keeps his shoulders square. When playing downhill against the run, shows excellent knee bend and is active and effective with his hands to work his way through trash and toward the football.
The Ohio State linebacker does a good job of keeping blockers out of his pads. Can use his suddenness to work his way past blockers without engaging. Maintains discipline on the backside when lined up on the edge. Excellent athlete with true sideline-to-sideline range in pursuit. Closes fast when he finds a path to the ball-carrier and is capable of chasing down runners in backside pursuit.
Has been an effective tackler, and length gives him a solid radius. Speed, explosiveness, suddenness and ability to stay low through the rush allow him to win around the edge. Has a nice shoulder dip and good flexibility in his ankles to redirect to the passer once he turns the corner. Surprisingly advanced at setting up blockers off the edge despite rarely rushing the passer before this year. Reese’s coverage role expanded this past season. Has the raw athleticism to execute different assignments in that capacity.
Negatives
Reese is on the thinner/lighter side for an EDGE rusher. Can occasionally struggle to hold the point of attack when trying to set the edge; might be asked to add some additional bulk if teams view him as primarily an EDGE defender.
Contact balance is very good for a linebacker, but closer to adequate for an EDGE rusher. Balance issues crop up from time to time. Still developing his instincts in coverage. Would like to see him get a bit more consistent depth to keep things in front of him; a bit reliant on his athleticism to recover/get back in-phase.
Summary
One of the most versatile defenders in recent memory, Reese can defend the run between the tackles or flow sideline-to-sideline as a traditional off-ball linebacker, threaten the edge as a speed rusher on passing downs or shade over the slot and work in coverage.
There appears to be divided opinion on whether Reese is primarily a linebacker or EDGE defender. The former seems to be a slightly better fit. Either way, Reese looks poised to be one of the top players off the board on draft day.
Projection: Round 1
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