TribLive is highlighting the top prospects leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. The three-day event is April 23-25.
Arvell Reese
Position: Edge rusher/linebacker
Height/weight: 6-foot-4/241 pounds
College: Ohio State
Reese’s NFL position might depend on who drafts him.
The versatile defender played a hybrid role for the Buckeyes last season, taking snaps as both an off-ball linebacker and edge rusher. He could play either spot at the next level, but his potential as a pass rusher likely gives him a higher upside in a league always looking for elite ones.
Reese is a consensus top 10 pick who could be drafted as high as second overall (if Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza goes first as expected). Only 20 years old, Reese has tremendous potential for development.
He made 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6½ sacks in a breakout junior season. As a fellow Big Ten linebacker, he draws obvious comparisons to versatile All-Pro Micah Parsons.
Draft analyst Lance Zierlein on NFL.com said Reese’s blend of traits, explosiveness and versatility “could become a perfect storm of chaos once a defense decides how to deploy him.”
Reese solidified his draft stock at the NFL Combine by running the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds. He and Ohio State teammate Sonny Styles tied for the fastest time among all linebackers this year.
Did you know?
In 2022, the Cleveland native won a state football championship while playing at Glenville High School for coach Ted Ginn Sr.
Key stat
4 — The number of Ohio State players drafted in the first round in 2025. The Buckeyes are projected to match that total again this year.
On draft
Here is a look at where the top NFL Draft analysts rank Bailey among players at his position and prospects overall:
Draft expert — Edge/Overall
Mel Kiper Jr. — first/third
Daniel Jeremiah — second/fifth
Todd McShay — first/third
Field Yates — second/fourth
Quotable
“I like him on the edge. He spent a little more time off the ball at Ohio State, but a real dynamic player.”
— NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah
