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When Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese showed up to his NFL scouting combine media availability Wednesday morning, the nameplate at his podium said his first name was “Vell.”
That surprised him.
“No, no, no. You can stick with Arvell,” Reese said at the podium, via Chat Sports.
What’s clear is that all NFL fans who don’t know Reese’s name will soon, and probably by the end of the week.
In an NFL Draft that has only one quarterback expected to go in the first few picks, Reese might end up as the second overall pick off the board after Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Reese’s athleticism, versatility and production are going to appeal to teams in the top five. Reese said Wednesday he has already met with the Jets, who have the second pick of the draft. Interviews at the combine do not tip off that a player will go to a certain team, but it also shouldn’t be a surprise that teams selecting in the first few picks of the draft want to get to know Reese better. He’s one of the most intriguing talents in the draft.
Reese played all over Ohio State’s front seven last season, and the Buckeyes’ defense led FBS by allowing only 9.3 points per game. Reese would play off-ball linebacker but also line up on the edge in pass-rushing situations. That’s similar to Micah Parsons’ role at Penn State. Reese has said he has been asked where he wants to play.
“I’ll tell them outside linebacker or edge,” Reese said.
That makes sense, because edge rushers have a lot more value in the NFL. Reese said he was on the edge about 60% of the time last season, and he has room to grow as a full-time edge player. He had only 6.5 sacks last season, mostly because he wasn’t rushing all the time.
“I haven’t even scratched the surface of what really I can do pass rushing,” Reese said.
This week could be big for Reese. He talked about needing to get better at many parts of his game, but the athleticism is pretty easy to see on tape. Reese said he’s doing all the drills at the combine, including all edge drills and all linebacker drills, and while he doesn’t have a goal for his 40-yard dash time, “I just want to make sure I run fast.”
He should do well during the drills and, if he does, he will be in the mix to be a top-three pick with other edge defenders like Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. and Texas Tech’s David Bailey. While Reese’s versatility at Ohio State says a lot about him as a football player, there will be some projection for teams at the top of the draft because he wasn’t full time at any one position. But the raw ability should make for an easy transition, and a high spot in the draft.
“I think I have a lot to get better at, at outside linebacker and edge, as far as pass rushing and coverage, but I think I can adapt to it quick, for sure,” Reese said.