Ohio State LB Arvell Reese, potential top-five pick, declares for 2026 NFL Draft

During the 2025 season, Reese consistently showed why NFL scouts are so high on him. He flashed sideline-to-sideline range, violent closing speed and the ability to diagnose plays before they fully developed. Coaches around the Big Ten routinely altered game plans to account for his presence, a sign of just how impactful he became on a weekly basis.

Reese’s departure, though huge, isn’t happening in isolation. He’s joined by two other Ohio State stars who have also declared this week, each with first-round potential. Safety Caleb Downs, a two-time consensus All-American and Jim Thorpe Award winner, made his intentions official earlier in the week. Downs’ range, instincts and ball skills have made him one of the most coveted defensive backs in the class, with projections placing him comfortably in the first round. 

On the offensive side of the ball, wide receiver Carnell Tate has also entered the draft. Tate’s blend of size, contested-catch ability and route-running polish helped him rack up nearly 1,900 career receiving yards and made him a true weapon in Ohio State’s high-powered offense. NFL evaluators see him as a legitimate first-round talent capable of stepping in and contributing early at the next level. 

Draft analysts have taken notice. Kiper Jr. ranks Reese among the very best prospects in the class, citing his rare athletic profile and three-down versatility as traits that translate immediately to the pro game. In a league that values linebackers who can both stop the run and stay on the field in passing situations, Reese checks every box.

For Ohio State, Reese’s departure is another reminder of the program’s role as a pipeline to the NFL. For Reese, it is the culmination of years of development and a chance to become one of the highest-drafted linebackers in recent memory. As the draft approaches, his name will continue to climb boards, and it would be no surprise if he hears it called very early on draft night.