Arvell Reese On Concerns Of Lack Of Experience Entering 2026 NFL Draft, Names Surprising Past Star As Favorite Player

Arvell Reese said he's not too concerned over questions of his lack of experience as an edge rusher. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Arvell Reese isn’t concerned over his detractors entering the NFL Draft.

As the top-rated pass rusher gets ready to hear his name called in the early picks of the 2026 NFL Draft, there’s a lot of praise – along with question marks – surrounding the 20-year-old consensus All-American.

Reese obviously proved he’s one of the most talented players in the country this past season with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Reese notched 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss, establishing himself as a pass-rushing threat after beginning his career as an inside linebacker (MIKE).

Reese is expected to be a top-five pick and the first edge rusher taken off the board along with Texas Tech’s David Bailey.

The 6-foot-4, 241-pound Reese is aware of the concern over his lack of experience playing the edge, but he’s not bothered by it.

“For those questioning it, it’s life,” said Reese in a one-on-one interview. “Some people are going to question stuff. Everybody gets questions about something. I really don’t know what I'd say to them, but people are going to question everything you do in life. You can't really pay attention to them and give too much energy to them. All I can do is just get better and try to get better every day.”

Reese is one of the more intriguing prospects of the draft, not just because of his own potential and talent, but because of the fact that he made a seamless transition from playing inside linebacker to playing more on the outside during his final season at Ohio State.

The top pass-rushing prospect has been compared to Micah Parsons, the five-time Pro Bowl linebacker who is considered one of the best edge rushers in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers star has been named an All-Pro selection in four of those seasons and has notched 65 sacks in his five-year NFL career.

Parsons has the third-most sacks of any player in that time frame behind only Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt, both of whom have won the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Reese could conceivably go to the New York Jets at No. 2 or the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 largely depending upon if Bailey is picked before him.

Regardless, it’s clear that Reese is held in high regard if he’s being compared to Parsons. When asked if the doubt due to his lack of experience at the position is “fuel” for motivation, Reese acknowledges that it can be.

Reese actually didn’t look up to any linebackers or edge rushers while growing up. He said he grew up playing on offense at running back while he was young and looked up to former Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson. Johnson is remembered for winning the 2009 Offensive Player of the Year award after rushing for over 2,000 yards. He also notched 2,509 total scrimmage yards, breaking Marshall Faulk’s previous record.

“I grew up playing running back, so I looked up to Chris Johnson,” said Reese. “He was my favorite running back at the time. I wanted to be like Chris Johnson. I wasn’t playing no defense growing up.”

He said he hasn’t had the chance to speak to Johnson, but when asked what is the best advice he’s received as he starts out his NFL career, Reese said the best “consensus” advice he’s received has come from former Buckeyes teammates such as Cody Simon and JT Tuimoloau, both of whom were selections in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Reese said the advice he’s received is putting “your head down” and “taking notes” while also remaining your own player.

“Basically the best consensus advice I’ve received from all of them is during your rookie year, putting your head down and working and taking notes, and not trying to be exactly like them, but studying them. See the things that they do, and see the things that they’re still doing, because that’s the reason they’re still playing. You eventually want to be there one day. You eventually want to be great like them one day. Not trying to be like them exactly, but take some advice from them. Get to know them and learn more about them.”

Arvell Reese Teams Up With Reese’s, Will Show Off Collaboration On Draft Day Suit

Leading into hearing his name being called during the 2026 NFL Draft, Reese is partnering with Reese’s, which obviously makes a lot of sense given his last name.

“I’m collaborating with Reese’s for draft night,” said Reese. “We did a collaboration on the suit. I’m excited to showcase the collaboration we’re doing, just to be a part of the Reese’s brand and collab with them, it means a lot to me. It’s my last name, so I'm excited for it.”

Reese teases that his first big purchase after signing his rookie contract will be a cabinet for all of his Reese’s candy.

“The first big purchase I will probably buy a cabinet full of Reese’s,” said Reese. “So me and my people have a selection for lik a month or two. That’s probably my biggest purchase.”

This article was originally published on Forbes.com