Arvell Reese: Ohio State’s hybrid linebacker built for the modern game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
If you’re looking for the prototype of the modern college football linebacker, look no further than Ohio State’s Arvell Reese. At 6'4", 243 pounds, Reese brings a rare blend of size, power, and burst that makes him a nightmare for opposing offenses. The junior’s 4.52 speed in the 40-yard dash shows up constantly on film, he closes gaps, hawks down ball carriers, and disrupts backfields with effortless range.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementReese has racked up 59 tackles and 6.5 sacks this season, and those numbers only tell part of the story. What makes him special is his versatility. Ohio State uses him as a true hybrid linebacker, letting him roam sideline to sideline, crash off the edge as an elite pass rusher, and diagnose plays before they fully develop. His instincts are among the best in the country, he sees angles faster than quarterbacks expect and plays with a strength that overwhelms tight ends and backs in protection.
For the diehard fan, Reese’s tape jumps out immediately: violent hands, controlled aggression, and positional fluidity. For the casual fan, he’s the kind of player who makes splash plays that swing momentum; forced pressures, backfield chaos, sudden stops in space.
In an era where defenses need athletes who can do everything, Arvell Reese is the blueprint. Ohio State has a special one.
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