Let’s talk about Arvell Reese—the 6‑foot‑4, 243‑pound linebacker from Ohio State Buckeyes who is rapidly emerging as a top‑tier defensive force, and yes, being floated as a possible top‑5 pick in the upcoming draft. This isn’t hyperbole or hopeful fan talk: the indicators are stacking up in a way that suggests Reese may be more than just a breakout. He could become one of the defining linebackers of his class.
From his high school days at Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio, Reese showed big‑time potential. He led Glenville to its first state championship, earned Division IV Defensive Player of the Year honors, and was rated a four‑star recruit At Ohio State he spent his freshman year learning the system, seeing limited snaps, but by 2024 he began to emerge—logging 43 tackles, including several high‑leverage plays.) That groundwork now looks like it’s setting the stage for a full landing. In 2025 he’s not just participating—he’s influencing outcomes, dominating space, and causing disruption.
What makes Reese so compelling? First: his physical traits. At 6′4″ and ~243 lbs (with some suggesting he could add functional weight), he has rare size for a modern linebacker who plays with speed and range. Analysts note his “exceptional length … allows him to bat down passes and disrupt throwing lanes” and “he covers ground like a safety when dropping into zone.Combine that with his explosiveness—he can trigger downhill, bend, close, chase from the backside—and you have a linebacker who isn’t just good in one dimension, but multiple. One scout even wrote that the “forklifts a 310‑lb blocker on this rep” clip of Reese was “just genuinely hilarious.”
Second: his versatility. In modern defensive schemes, linebackers aren’t just run‑stuffers. They have to play sideline‑to‑sideline, cover tight ends or backs, be part of pass‑rush packages, fill in for blitzes, and manage space in zone. Reese’s tape shows glimpses of all that. He’s been used in multiple roles: traditional off‑ball LB, edge/hybrid blitzing, zone drops. Scouts say he “plays with controlled aggression,” has “natural feel for diagnosing run concepts pre‑snap,” and his “lateral agility for his frame when scraping over the top” stands out. (NFL Draft Buzz) The result: Reese is already being compared—yes, seriously—to modern elite hybrids. One analyst wrote that he “plays like a top 10 pick” and compared his build and athletic ability to Micah Parsons. (SI)
Third: the production and impact. It’s one thing to have tools. It’s another to use them. Reese is doing that now in meaningful games, not just mop‑up snaps. Through six games of the 2025 season, Reese had 38 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and has triggered breakdowns of offenses. One article noted the Buckeyes’ defense hasn’t allowed a 100‑yard rusher all season and credited Reese as a key reason. (SI) Draft analysts are taking note: veteran evaluator Todd McShay mentioned that Reese could “break the norm” of off‑ball linebackers being selected outside the top picks. (SI) Another, Dane Brugler, said Reese is the type of talent many NFL teams “covet for their scheme” and shouldn’t surprise anyone as the first Ohio State player drafted.
Let’s pause there and reflect: in recent years, elite off‑ball linebackers don’t often go in the top 5 of the draft. But Reese has the physical traits, film, production and schematic versatility to buck that trend. If he continues on this trajectory, uses his advantage, refines his craft, and stays healthy, the “top 5 overall pick” chatter is not superfluous; it may legitimately come to pass.
Of course, nothing is perfect. Reese has some developmental tasks ahead. For one, while his size and burst are fantastic, scouts point out that he sometimes “gets too aggressive filling gaps and loses contain responsibility on bootlegs and quarterback scrambles.” He also “needs to develop more consistent hand‑placement when stacking/shedding interior linemen,” and can “struggle with change of direction against shifty backs in space on swing passes.” ) On the coverage side, there are some reps where his eyes get stuck in the backfield (play‑action) and he takes bad angles or loses assignment discipline. In other words: he’s still growing; his flash is high but some maturation remains.
Another subtle point: the position he ultimately plays at the next level may matter. He’s currently an off‑ball linebacker type, but given his frame and rushing/edge skills, comparisons to edge/hybrid roles are being made. If a team chooses to use him as more of a “Leo” or “Jack” or hybrid rusher (versus pure inside linebacker), that could maximize his value—though it might also expose him to new demands (e.g., pass rush technique, standing up vs. hand in dirt, run‑fit vs. edge containment). Some questions linger about how he’ll perform when the focus shifts from wrecking downfield to disciplined two‑gap responsibility, or from stringing runs to depth drop coverage.
Yet the upside is tantalizing. Imagine a defender who can match up physically with tight ends and backs, who can run sideline to sideline, who can blitz off the edge or drop in coverage and stay ahead of modern spread/tempo offenses. That kind of player is gold in today’s NFL, where offenses stress linebackers in every facet. Reese’s combination of size + speed + versatility + instincts aligns perfectly with what championship defenses covet.
For teams weighing draft capital, Reese presents an investment with potentially high return. Taking him in the top 5 means believing he’s not just a rotational piece but an eventual centerpiece. If he becomes a three‑down weapon, all‑pro calibrations could emerge. For the player, staying healthy, playing with discipline, refining the under‑belly of his game (coverage, angles, hand technique) will be key to unlocking that ceiling.
It also means the window to enjoy watching the “Beast at LB” is now. For fans of Ohio State, or for those tracking defenders, Reese is at the moment where promise transitions into performance. He’s already making memorable plays, his name is rising among draft talk, and the buzz is real. For any fan of defense, it’s fun to watch a high‑ceiling talent start to unfold visibly.
If I were to sketch a projection: Reese enters the next level as a Day‑1 starter in a scheme that uses him either as a WILL/MIKE who can move sideline to sideline, or as a hybrid who occasionally acts like an edge rusher. Within 2‑3 years, if all goes well, he’s in contention as one of the top linebackers in the league. The question for his draft stock: will his growth curve, team context, combine/pro day testing, and medicals align to make him a top‑3 pick? Maybe. And given how strong his 2025 season looks so far, I wouldn’t bet against it.
