2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

Thoughts on the strengths, concerns, usage/role, grades and projection for Ohio State LB Arvell Reese

Updated: 02/12/2026

Note: This season, I’m posting full scouting reports of a ton of players — as well as written columns on some of the top or most intriguing prospects. This is the format I file to scouting services, and that mirrors the “one sheets” you see in NFL front offices — with some explanations about position critical traits for readers. The written-through columns will have deeper explanations on some of the scouting terms and, more importantly, why they matter. Those will come throughout the draft cycle. But I’ve had requests for these quick-to-read reports, and so here they are! I’ve updated my process this season, based on the Chargers model that stems from Michigan and is now used in Baltimore and Seattle. If you want to understand more about the changes and any verbiage, I explained some of that process on the first scouting evaluations podcast with Jon Ledyard.

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Prospect: Arvell Reese | Jersey #: 8 | Pro Pos.: LB/Edge | College Pos.: LB/Edge

School: Ohio State | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 243lbs | Speed: TBD | Explosive Index: TBD

Age: 21 (Jr) | Final Grade: 8.83 (Impact Starter) | Draft Projection: Top-Five

STRONG POINTS:

· Special blend of size, speed and strength

· Special coordination and flexibility.

· Stop-start quicks – feel for climbing in and out of space.

· Linebacker is a recognition, communication and execution (RCE) position. Few linebackers take the film study to the field as well as Reese. Plays with the two-steps ahead vision of a linebacker, and the closing burst of an edge-rusher. Inexperienced player, but the football IQ and his recognition stack up with the best prospects in recent years.

· Special diagnose and attack instincts: taking on screens, reading run-pass. Screen film reveals a lot about a linebacker: their recognition, vision, movement skills (forward and backward), transition, ability to glide through the wash, paths and tackling. Reese has the strongest screen tape of any linebacker in the past six draft classes. Teach tape stuff.

· Hashmark to sideline range in run game and coverage.

· Elite tackling prospect. As good as I’ve evaluated. Form tackles. Picture-perfect technique. Explodes on contact. Attacks the ball in a proper tackling position. Comes to balance and blasts people. Ability to explode into blocks, long arm and break off blocks aggressively. Rarely misses his aiming point on straight or angle tackles. The majority of pro tackles are made off blocks, not in space. Reese controls blockers, hits his gap, tracks the ball carrier and makes tackles off blocks without getting out of his frame.

· Destroys blocks. Aggressive in the initial phase of the block and snapping off blocks. Has a deep bag of tricks to get off blocks when engaged up on the line of scrimmage and at the second level (rips, eye stunts, hard shoulder, hot hands, hammer, smash, eye stunt, throw by, jam/face movement).

· Few linebackers can shrink their frame through the hole, stay square to take on blocks, and destroy blocks on initial contact. Reese can.

· Never gets lost in the pile. Rarely bites on eye candy. Trusts his technique and skill.

· Plays with flawless technique when down on the edge as a heavy end. Sets a hard edge and keeps his off-arm free. Can spike inside to puncture run plays and can run over tackles through the mid-line. Wins with speed, power and converting speed to power.

· Plays with great balance and feel in zone coverage. Hits his landmark, scans, and doesn’t get caught in the wash. Impressive pedal to drive. Will be a tipped ball machine up at the line of scrimmage and clogging passing lanes.

· Outstanding suddenness popping out from mugged up alignments. Can cover yards in a single spring.

· Light on his feet. Glides through the crevices of the front as a sift-and-find linebacker when backed up off the ball. Doesn’t waste steps, takes efficient paths to the ball, and gathers speed as he works from the front.

· Covers an exceptional amount of ground when walked down to the edge, flying out to the flat to stuff out quick screens, flat routes and perimeter runs.

· Takes efficient paths to the ball, refusing to get himself caught up in the wash. Will play to the team construct. Trusts his keys and plays in attack mode every rep. Rarely, if ever, does he out-leverage his own team trying to play hero ball. Plays assignment sound football. Will trust the scheme and funnel ball-carriers to his help.

· Switched on in zone coverage. Understands his role and assignment. Plays to his help. Communicates on the fly, covers ground, and can transition from back-pedal to drive at lightning speed. Reads the action of the quarterback and breaks on release. Has the long speed to flip and match vertical routes.

· The key figure in Ohio State’s pressure plan. Moved around to set and attack protections. Strong feel for where he fits into the overall plan. Good hand quickness to fight with interior linemen, keep himself clean, and then close to the quarterback. At his most effective, attacking from mugged-up spots inside

· Outstanding pass-rush radar – the depth and placement of the quarterback in the pocket – from inside alignments

· Has an expert feel for down, distance and situation.

· High-level communicator and hustle player. Competitive toughness leaps off the film. Staff raves about every element of his game and work ethic.

WEAK POINTS: