2026 NFL Scouting Report: Arvell Reese

Arvell Reese, 6-4/243
Linebacker
Ohio State

Arvell Reese Scouting Report

By Charlie Campbell

Strengths:

Tough run defender
Quick to the sideline
Good tackler
Hard hitter
Very physical
Will take on blocks
Can shed blocks and make tackles
Tall, and plays with good leverage
Diagnosis skills
Read-and-react skills
Fits a 4-3 or 3-4 defense
Quick to the flat
Closing speed
Rangy
Advanced pass-coverage linebacker
Can help cover against tight ends and running backs
Can drop into zone coverage
Good vision in zone
Disrupts passing lanes
Dangerous edge rusher
Fast around the corner
Can dip under tackles
Strong, thick build
Big linebacker, imposing presence
Upside

Weaknesses:

One-year wonder
Needs more experience

Prospect Summary:

It took some time for Reese to become a starter, but the Cleveland, Ohio, product showed a freaky skill set with a special ability to hurt offenses. In 2024, Reese had 43 tackles with .5 sacks as a rotational backup. In 2025, he became a starter and was excellent for the Buckeyes. In 2025, Reese had 69 tackles with 6.5 sacks and two passes broken up.

The NFL is a passing-driven league, so for a linebacker to get selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, they must be an asset in defending aerial offenses. Reese is definitely that, and he is a versatile chess piece that can be used in a variety of ways. Reese reads plays quickly and covers a lot of ground in zone. His height and length make him valuable to interrupt passing lanes, and he projects to be an asset to defending receiving tight ends. With his length and quickness, Reese can run down the middle seam and functions well as a Tampa 2 coverage linebacker. On dump-off passes to the flat, Reese is quick enough to get to the ball carrier and is good at making tackles in space. His size and athleticism allow him to have the potential to play some man coverage on tight ends and backs out of the backfield. Reese can be a middle linebacker who covers the seam well with his size, speed, and athleticism.

Along with being able to cover, Reese is a dangerous speed rusher off the edge. He is fast and explosive to get upfield to run around offensive tackles. Reese is agile and athletic to dip underneath blockers with the ability to sink his hips to get pointed to the quarterback. Reese could be utilized as a subpackage edge rusher, along with being a pass coverage linebacker.

In run defense, Reese is big and physical in the tackle box. He reads his keys quickly and is quick to read his keys to get in position to make tackles. Reese is strong to take on and shed blocks with a quick burst to fire to the ball carrier. With his strength and physical attitude, Reese will hit hard and put ball carriers into the turf with physicality. Reese is fast, big, and strong. He should be a three-down linebacker in the NFL.

In the 2026 NFL Draft, Reese looks like a high first-round talent. He should be a three-down linebacker in the NFL with Pro Bowl potential.

Prospect Comparison:

Jihaad Campbell. In terms of skill set and style of play, Reese is very similar to Campbell. Campbell was a very good prospect who slipped in the 2025 NFL Draft due to medical concerns. Both Reese and Campbell should be excellent pro linebackers in their career.