Consensus All-American Ohio State linebacker the Giants took fifth overall in 2026.
Arvell Reese is a linebacker the New York Giants selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. A national champion at Ohio State, he broke out as a senior with elite production and athleticism. Head coach John Harbaugh has talked about using his versatility at both inside and Will linebacker.
Path to the league
Reese won the 2024 national championship at Ohio State before a breakout 2025 season under defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. He ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the 2026 Combine, tying teammate Sonny Styles for the fastest among linebackers and edge defenders, per the Giants' team site.
Career highlights
In 2025 Reese posted career bests of 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, five quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. He was named a consensus All-American with first-team honors from the AP, AFCA and Walter Camp, and won the Big Ten's Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year, per the Giants and Wikipedia.
2025 season
His All-American senior year vaulted him into the top five of the draft. The Giants signed him as part of a 2026 class headlined by Reese and Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa.
Sources
- Giants.com: Giants select Arvell Reese
- ESPN: Arvell Reese player page
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- Ohio State
- Hometown
- Cleveland, OH, USA
- Age
- 20
- Status
- active
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