There might not be a more treacherous position for NFL evaluators than off-ball linebackers.
Positional value suggests they fall in line behind defensive tackles, edge rushers, and corners, but the challenges of the current offensive landscape expose second-level defenders who aren't up to par. Every team wants something different from their linebackers, and between collegiate defenses and coaching turnover, high-profile prospects can find themselves out of place -- and out of favor -- in a hurry.
Subsequently, four off-ball 'backers have been taken in the top 10 in the last decade, each with a calling card that made them unique. Isaiah Simmons was touted as the most versatile man alive. Devin White and Devin Bush posted sub-4.45-second 40s in 2019, while Roquan Smith (the lone success story) commandeered an NFL-level Georgia defense the year prior.
Blue-chip linebackers are rare. Their success is hardly guaranteed. But in a strong linebacker class, Ohio State's Arvell Reese is separating himself from his early-round peers and making a case to be the next second-level star topping draft boards in April.
Arvell Reese's strengths can wreak havoc on Sundays
It's worth noting that Reese isn't a stereotypical Mike, potentially clouding his projection but definitely impacting his role on the Ohio State defense. Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia uses him across the front seven, from traditional linebacking roles to mugged gaps and plenty of time along the edge.
At 243 pounds, that usage demands his play strength exceeds his measurables. Reese checks the box here. He has a low center of gravity, uses leverage well, and has heavy hands to help him take on tackles, hold his ground, and occasionally flash power as an edge rusher.
Reese's most obvious strengths come as a run defender. He's at his best shooting downhill to impact zone runs, aggressively filling gaps and, at times, making plays that aren't asked of his assignment. His burst is among the best in the class; combined with elite speed and strong tackling technique, he's excellent in pursuit.
Another week, another Arvell Reese cutup. The 6-4, 245-pound freak is wreaking havoc every week and rising into a tier of one of the very best players in the draft class.
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) September 29, 2025
Lots of ball left, but he's been one of the best defenders in the nation. pic.twitter.com/WVhc8DjPP8
Reese also jumps off the screen as a quarterback spy. Most notably, Reese is more athletic than most of the quarterbacks opposite him, but when a dual-threat passer tries to create a big play, he can throttle his speed to mirror footwork and make the tackle.
Admittedly, there are fewer coverage reps to substantiate the early-season hype he's been getting. However, there are translatable skills, like his burst, change of direction, and foot speed, that lend themselves to upside in coverage. He hasn't flipped his hips a ton, but he's a fluid athlete who can easily carry running backs on clear-out streaks from empty. Reese is more comfortable with his eyes on the quarterback, but there isn't much to suggest he cannot succeed on deeper passing downs.
What must Reese prove down the stretch?
If there's an area where I'm getting over my skis, it's as a zone defender. Between the smaller sample size of reps and the uncertainty that comes with evaluating processing speed, that's where the error bars are largest.
Continuing to flash against high-level Big Ten competition (at Illinois in Week 7, vs. Penn State in Week 10) would help add credibility to his profile. Adding ball production would, too; he's logged two passes defended and zero interceptions through Week 5's action.
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At times, Reese can attempt to click-and-close on a scrambling quarterback unnecessarily and open a throwing window. He's a freak athlete, but trying to make too many plays could be something to monitor. To this point, it hasn't burned him; with his natural talent, it may never.
Elsewhere, Reese will have to continue to prove that his strength plays at the next level when the linemen get bigger and his anchor gets less effective. His current body of work has me optimistic that it won't be much of an issue, but if he gives back some of his potency against the run, the path to prowess becomes slimmer.
Reese's NFL projection
Partly through his platform year, Reese has quickly become a viable first-round pick and a candidate to be the fifth top-10 linebacker of the decade. Offering elite athleticism, prototypical size (6'3", 243 pounds), and experience in several roles, any linebacker-needy team would have a valid reason to draft him.
Deciphering just how high Reese goes looks like a matter of when, not if, he becomes a Day 1 pick. This is a Pro Bowl-level talent who can be a force multiplier if his processing and coverage skills exceed expectations. While he hasn't done enough as a pass rusher to warrant the Micah Parsons comparisons his frame and best plays create, I wouldn't rule out improvement there, either.
Reese has quickly emerged as Ohio State's top linebacker, ahead of preseason darling Sonny Styles, and he might be the Buckeyes' best defensive player. Round 1 linebackers can be treacherous, but the requisite athleticism is there in spades, and he's strong enough against the run to boast a relatively high floor. He should start from the jump as an outside off-ball linebacker and be given opportunities to make plays at and around the line of scrimmage.
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