New York Giants select Arvell Reese: 7 things to know about the LB
The New York Giants made a surprising selection in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, choosing Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese.
The 20-year-old defender from Cleveland, Ohio, had been widely projected as a top-three overall pick throughout the pre-draft process. He was rarely linked to the Giants until the final 48 hours before the draft kicked off.
Reese brings elite athleticism, versatility, and a compelling personal story to a Giants defense in the midst of a rebuild.
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Here are seven things to know about the promising young linebacker.
Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 241-243 pounds, Reese possesses long 32Ā½-inch arms and a wingspan exceeding 6-foot-7. His rare blend of length and versatility allows him to play both off-ball linebacker and stand-up edge rusher, offering the Giants a dynamic hybrid defender with third-down pass-rush potential.
Reese grew up in Clevelandās Glenville neighborhood and attended Glenville High School, where he was a four-star recruit. He helped lead the Tarblooders to a state championship and played a key role in reviving the programās strong pipeline to Ohio State football.
Reese developed his aggressive, competitive edge early in life. At just five years old, he jumped into pads and began playing organized football while watching his older brother, fueling the intense ādog mentalityā that defines his on-field play.
His mother, Maeko Walker, battled a severe stroke and serious health challenges in his eighth-grade yearāincluding multiple surgeries and time in a wheelchairāyet never missed one of his games, becoming a pillar of resilience and motivation. His father, Alex Reese, guided him toward football despite earlier personal challenges, later becoming actively involved in his training and academics after his release from prison.
Reese has excelled off the field as a two-time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-Big Ten honoree while majoring in human development and family science, demonstrating discipline beyond the gridiron.
In his junior year, Reese recorded 69 combined tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks while starting all 14 games. He earned consensus All-American honors, Big Ten Linebacker of the Year, and Butkus Award finalist recognition after contributing to Ohio Stateās 2024 national championship team.
Reese ran a blazing 4.46-second 40-yard dash with a 1.58-second 10-yard split, showcasing the speed and burst that complement his length and make him a dangerous pursuit-and-pass-rush threat.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants select Arvell Reese: 7 things to know about the LB
Arvell Reese, a standout linebacker from Ohio State, was selected by the New York Giants with the No. 5 overall pick in the NFL Draft. He was the first defender from Ohio State to be chosen this year.
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