New York Giants Draft Prospect Profile: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State

Arvell Reese, LB

Height: 6’4”
Weight: 241 lbs
Class: Junior
School: Ohio State
Hands: 9 ½”
Arm length: 32 ½”
40-yard-dash: 4.46s
10-yard-split: 1.58s
STATS

A former four-star recruit out of Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was the fifth recruit from his state and the 18th linebacker during the 2023 recruiting class.

Reese spent his college career learning from James Laurinaitis (Ohio State Linebacker Coach) and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, which allowed him to effectively play a unique role for the Buckeyes.

Reese played two seasons for the Buckeyes – a total of 960 defensive snaps. In 2025, he aligned 327 times as an EDGE rusher (250 on the right side and 77 on the left), while playing 286 snaps in the BOX as a linebacker, and 34 snaps as an overhang defender.

He recorded 27 pressures and 34 STOPs for Ohio State last season, while only missing 6% of his tackles (four missed).

Reese is a 2024 National Champion and was a Consensus All-American in 2025, while earning the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year (2025).

Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese runs a drill during Pro Day for NFL scouts at the Woody Hayes Athletics Center on March 25, 2026. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Strengths

Long and lean athlete who carries 241-pounds well
Frame is not yet maxed out
Premium level athlete with insanely fluid movement skills
Changes direction well with excellent acceleration and elite short-area-quickness
Above-average bend through contact
Twitchy mover with springy explosiveness – elite burst
Very good force into contact – stronger than he looks
Shockingly powerful bull-rush
Slippery up the pass rushing arc
Excellent cornering ability – SLIPPERY at the top of arc
Converts speed to power well
Adaptive and smart QB spy
Excellent in pursuit as a run defender
Sure-tackler with very good tackling mechanics
Long tackle radius
Elite slashing ability on LOS or at second level
Above-average edge setting ability – good leverage when in place
Smart – high IQ – run defender
Good eyes as a LB from second level
Excellent stack & shed ability at second level
Gets low and uses length to shed and locate ball carrier
Speed athletic ability allow him to carry and play man sufficiently
Solid overall zone awareness
Elite third down blitzer from second level
Has 322 snaps on special teams
Versatile defender – LB/EDGE
Is only 20-years old

Weaknesses

Dangerous with power/finesse up arc, but still unrefined!
Still development to be had with counter moves / pass rushing repertoire
Can work on his hands as a pass rusher
Capable zone coverage player who lost track of receivers a few too many times
Will he be pigeon holed as a hybrid player?

Summary

Arvell Reese is a lean, explosive, and versatile player with elite athletic ability. His movement skills + power are a rare combination with his body type; plus, he possesses a tone-setting jolt in his hands when he’s stacking & shedding offensive linemen.

He exercises good patience when necessary and his short area quickness allows him to pounce like a venus fly trap on an unsuspecting victim.

Reese’s power on the EDGE pops off the screen whether due to his ability to stand up OTs when he is setting the edge or if it’s him generating quality force through the ground and into contact with his impressive bull-rushing ability.

That power is coupled with a slippery finesse style that allows him to dip/slip/rip through the high-side and create havoc, while possessing the pass-rushing IQ to spin/cut-off rushing paths for the quarterback.

Similar to Abdul Carter, Reese can be effectively employed on the EDGE or at the second-level. I could make a strong case that he’d be better off as a linebacker than a full-time EDGE, which may entice the Giants more.

Sure, he can be used on the EDGE in passing situation, but his linebacker skills – albeit not totally refined due to a lack of experience – are sufficient, while still possessing a ton of upside, to be relied upon in early down situations.

Reese can rush, spy, carry receivers, and is a smart second level option, while possessing the power and strength to play on the edge when necessary.

Overall, Arvell Reese is one of the more unique and talented players in the draft. At just 20-years old, the sky is the limit for the young man, and he will not wait long to hear his name called in the 2026 NFL Draft.

GRADE: 7.05

Nick Falato's Draft Grade Chart | Nick Falato

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