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 6 1/2 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 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 this year.

On draft

Here is a look at where the top NFL Draft analysts rank Reese 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 (he’s) a real dynamic player.”

— NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah

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