Better Watch the Arvell Reese Game Film Closely

Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese is a BIG REPUTATION prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. Per NFL Mock Draft Database, 31% of documented mainstream draft media are projecting him as the No. 2 overall consensus pick 👀

Wowser.

Top-10 picks come loaded with expectations.

Did he produce top-10 game film during the 2025 season for Ohio State?

No.

Did he at least produce consistent first-round game film for Ohio State in 2025?

No.

Does he flash first-round ability?

Yes.

But, this isn’t about “flashing.”

This is about consistency.

This is about extracting traits, tendencies, and patterns from a prospect’s college film that relate to what has been proven to succeed in the NFL.

Pure and simple…

Inconsistencies get an NFL team beat.

And every time I tried “talking myself into a first-round grade” with Reese, I got this sinking feeling in my gut.

As an evaluator, I have to go with that.

What does Reese look like on his game film?

Reese is a classic run-and-hit linebacker.

As long as you keep him clean, he’s great. But the moment he encountered any block, whether as a pass rusher or run defender, it didn’t look too good.

Were there exceptions to this?

Yes.

But they were the exceptions.

…Not the norm.

Get Reese out in space and let him roam around, unblocked, and yes, he’ll produce highlights. Lock him up in man pass coverage (when a defender is assigned to cover a specific offensive skill position player), short-range (0-9 yards) against backs and tight ends, and he’ll stick to them like Velcro.

I like him in these two roles.

Tell me more about Reese as a pass rusher

He’s limited.

Why?

Reese has a very limited pass-rushing toolbox.

How limited?

In 14 games this season, I noted four spin moves (two against Wisconsin and two against Purdue), one head fake, and one rip move. He was “best” at bull-rushing.

But that’s it.

What were his pass rush numbers?

Did they confirm his game film?

Pro Football Focus (2025)

• 8 sacks
• 23 pressures

Okay, hold up, didn’t you just get done telling me about his nearly empty toolbox of pass-rush moves?

Yes.

Well, then, explain yourself, and make it quick.

He’s an opportunist. He generated a lot of that production based on being at the right place at the right time and on delayed blitzes when things opened up, and he could take clean routes to the quarterback and didn’t have to contend with blockers.

Sure, on a couple of those sacks, he was able to beat left tackles on speed rushes who will probably never sniff the NFL.

Let’s not get carried away.

Any more concerns?

Yes.

• Moments when he loses track of where the ball is
• Bites hard on play misdirection
• Split-second slow reactions
• Looks confused sometimes in zone pass coverage (when defenders are responsible for defending a certain area of the field)

Biggest concern?

This is the second-straight season of Reese’s game film I’ve walked away feeling disappointed. Granted, I appreciated some of his traits more this time around, and he opened my eyes to more of his true value, but he still has some glaring weaknesses that disqualify him from being a first-round value on my board.

🚨A lot of things I outlined in my 2024 game film report showed up again in 2025.

I just can’t do it.

#8 Arvell Reese 6-foot-4, 243 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2026 NFL Draft Grade: Second-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Ohio State Linebacker Arvell Reese Disappointing 2024 Game Film (2024: 16 games evaluated)

2025 game film evaluated: Texas, Grambling, Ohio, Washington, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue, UCLA, Rutgers, Michigan, Indiana, and Miami (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 run and pass stats: 69 tackles (34 solo) and 2 passes defended

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Looks the part. Looks pretty in pads. Long arms. Good natural strength. Nice short-area close when he’s clean. Low football IQ. Has value as a defender who can seal off the 0-9 yard perimeters. Hammers people. Solid tackling technique. I charted 131 times he ended up around the pile in run support.

Final words

Reese is not dependable.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. Featured in USA Today. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.