The versatile defender's combine performance will dictate if he fits the specific physical mold Daronte Jones needs for his Washington defense.
need help on defense, and Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese is a multi-tooled athlete who could be a tremendous addition in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft., where the Commanders are currently scheduled to make their first pick.
After that, Reese has to be viewed by Washington as the right man for the job at that spot. While the linebacker is going very early in all the mocks, and oftentimes isn’t even available at No. 7, if he is, it still isn’t a slam dunk that he’d be the pick, because there are still questions about the prospect. Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese pressures Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey during the first half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Oct. 4, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesAnswering those questions starts at the NFL Scouting Combine this week, and NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks“Reese is listed at 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds, and it's hard to find players of that stature with his combination of speed, agility, and explosion. He operates with a level of violence and physicality that overwhelms blockers at the point of attack,” Brooks writes.That violence and physicality are exactly what new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones wants in the Commanders’ defense moving forward. And it’s something we saw a troubling lack of over the past two years, despite head coach Dan Quinn’s call for it to be a trademark of his team. In addition to those attributes, Reese is also a multi-positional talent. Though like other players with that capability before him, the question now is whether or not he’s a truly versatile weapon, or another player who does several things well, but nothing great.“At Ohio State, Reese showed spectacular flashes, finishing with 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss as a junior last season. However, he's also an unproven commodity, with just one year of starting experience under his belt. And then there's the question of his place on the field, which has been fluid so far, including both off-ball linebacking and edge-rushing duties. This raises the possibility that he could grow into a Micah Parsons-style hybrid playmaker as a pro. It also suggests he still has work to do at both spots,” Brooks continued. “The potential is tantalizing and could merit a top-five pick, but old-school executives would warn against taking a project that high without having a clear development plan or utilization strategy to maximize his talents at the next level.”DAVID HARRISON David Harrison has covered the NFL since 2015 as a digital content creator in both written and audio media. He is the host of Locked On Commanders and a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. His previous career was as a Military Working Dog Handler for the United States Army. Contact David via email at david.w.harrison82@gmail.com or on Twitter @DHarrison82.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signs SB 295 into lawOhio Governor Mike DeWine signed Ohio Senate Bill 295 into law Friday.
Read more »
Ohio State Spring Game tickets now on saleTickets for the annual Ohio State Spring Game are now on sale.Tickets went on sale to the public Friday atgo.osu.edu/26springgametix. General admission tickets
Read more »
Penn State hockey star breaks pair of program records in blowout of rival Ohio StateThe Nittany Lions and Gavin McKenna roared past the Buckeyes in a star-studded performance.
Read more »
Ohio State Basketball Faces Michigan State Spartans in Crucial Big Ten Matchup Amidst State NewsThe Ohio State Buckeyes basketball team, seeking a pivotal Quad 1 win, prepares to face the No. 15 Michigan State Spartans. Key player injuries and the Spartans' recent victories pose significant challenges. Other news in Ohio includes a pedestrian death, a fatal crash, and water quality complaints.
Read more »
Ohio State Basketball Faces No. 15 Michigan State With NCAA Tournament Stakes RisingOhio State heads to No. 15 Michigan State looking to build on its ranked win over Wisconsin. Here’s what the Buckeyes must do to earn a key road victory and strengthen their NCAA Tournament résumé.
Read more »
Ohio State vs Michigan State Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's College Basketball GameOur Ohio State vs. Michigan State predictions believe the Buckeyes will come up short vs. another Quad 1 foe on Sunday, February 22.
Read more »