For decades, Ohio State has prided itself on producing some of the most dominant linebackers in college football. From Chris Spielman and James Laurinaitis to Ryan Shazier and Raekwon McMillan, the Buckeyes have been synonymous with hard-hitting, instinctive defenders who define the middle of the field.
In 2025, as the Buckeyes reload for another College Football Playoff run, one name stands out as the heir to that lineage: Arvell Reese.
Reese is no longer just a promising young player buried on the
depth chart. Entering his junior year, he has emerged as one of the most complete linebackers in the country, and in my view, the best linebacker currently on Ohio State’s roster — even ahead of Sonny Styles, the more heralded and experienced Buckeye defender.
Reese’s growth, talent, and trajectory suggest that not only will he anchor Ohio State’s defense in the coming years, but he also has the potential to claim the Butkus Award, given annually to the nation’s top linebacker.
From Glenville to Columbus: The Making of a Star
Hailing from Cleveland’s Glenville High School, a program known for producing elite Division 1 talent, Reese arrived in Columbus with high expectations. A four-star recruit, Reese had the size, athleticism, and versatility that modern linebackers need. At 6-foot-4 and roughly 243 pounds, he possesses a frame that could be molded into a hybrid linebacker or even an edge rusher.
Programs like Alabama and Penn State wanted him, but Reese chose Ohio State, betting on the Buckeyes’ reputation for developing linebackers into NFL-caliber stars.
His freshman season in 2023, however, was a quiet one. He saw the field sparingly, appearing in six games and recording no stats, a year defined more by learning the system and battling through a concussion than by production.
For many players, that kind of year can be a setback. For Reese, it was the foundation. The time in the weight room, the mentorship of veterans like Cody Simon, and the guidance of linebackers coach James Laurinaitis sharpened his understanding of the game.
By 2024, Reese had transformed from a raw athlete into a rotational contributor. Playing over 300 snaps, he recorded 43 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and flashed in key moments. His length allowed him to shed blockers, his speed let him chase down plays from the backside, and his physicality stood out even on a defense loaded with talent.
A controversial targeting call against Nebraska — later appealed and rescinded — showed just how aggressive and fearless he was in pursuit. More importantly, it demonstrated that he was already being noticed, by opponents, officials, and analysts alike.
The Butkus Award Path: What Makes Reese Special
Now entering 2025, Reese is no longer a rotational linebacker. He’s projected to start alongside Sonny Styles, stepping into the middle of the Buckeye defense vacated by Cody Simon.
This season is where things really get interesting. Reese isn’t just a starter. He’s the kind of linebacker who can change games, and that’s why he’s already on the preseason Butkus Award watch list.
The Butkus Award is not just about stats. Past winners like Manti Te’o, Roquan Smith, and Devin White were not only productive, but also game-changing presences who elevated their entire defenses. Reese has that profile.
His physical traits are elite for the position, length to disrupt passing lanes, size to take on offensive linemen, and the speed to patrol sideline-to-sideline. He can blitz off the edge, drop into coverage against tight ends, or attack gaps in the run game. That versatility is exactly what voters look for in a modern linebacker.
But what separates Reese is not just raw ability. According to Laurinaitis, Reese has become one of the most coachable and intelligent players in the room. He processes plays quickly, makes corrections on the fly, and has grown into a vocal leader.
When you pair football IQ with his athleticism, you get the kind of linebacker who can dominate at the college level and project as a first-round NFL Draft pick.
Why the Butkus Could Be in Arvell Reese’s Future
No conversation about Ohio State’s linebacker room is complete without mentioning Sonny Styles. The 6-foot-4 defender has been one of the most hyped Buckeyes in recent memory, transitioning from safety to linebacker and providing a rare versatility that made him invaluable in Ohio State’s defense.
But while Styles’ reputation and flexibility command attention, it’s Reese who looks poised to become Ohio State’s purest, most dominant linebacker, and perhaps its most indispensable.
That distinction matters when it comes to the Butkus Award. Winning the honor requires more than athleticism, it demands a unique combination of opportunity, visibility, and production. Reese checks all three boxes. With Cody Simon gone, he steps into a full-time starting role where he’ll be counted on for nearly every defensive snap.
The Buckeyes, once again a top-five team, will play in high-profile games watched by millions, from clashes with Texas, Penn State and Michigan, to a likely postseason push. If Reese shines in those moments, voters will have little choice but to take notice.
The production piece is where Reese could separate himself. In 2024, he already flashed the ability to find the football, finishing with 43 tackles in a rotational role. With expanded snaps and another offseason of development, it’s reasonable to project him as a 90-to-100 tackle linebacker with double-digit tackles for loss and game-changing plays in coverage or as a blitzer.
Those are the kind of numbers that get Butkus finalists invited to the stage.
What makes Reese’s situation so intriguing is the timeline. He doesn’t have to win it in 2025 for his Butkus candidacy to be real. If he returns in 2026 for his senior season, he would enter the year as one of the most experienced and respected linebackers in the country.
By then, he’d not only be leading Ohio State’s defense, but he’d also likely be on every preseason award shortlist in the nation. Few players ever get a two-year window to chase college football’s top individual prize for linebackers. Reese has exactly that.
Whether it happens in 2025 or 2026, the Butkus Award feels less like a long shot for the Ohio native and more like a natural next step in his evolution. He has the role, the tools, and the platform.
The only question left is when he’ll claim the honor — not if.
Final Word: The Next Buckeye Great
Arvell Reese’s story is one of steady growth, untapped potential, and perfect timing. He came to Columbus as a talented but raw athlete. Two years later, he has matured into a complete linebacker ready to lead Ohio State’s defense. While Sonny Styles may remain the face of the Buckeye defense for some time, Reese is the one who could define it.
It may be premature to crown a Butkus Award winner before the season even begins, but Reese’s case is already building. He has the size, the speed, and the instincts to compete with the best linebackers in the country, and he’s stepping into a role that will give him every opportunity to showcase those traits.
More importantly he carries the mentality, a relentless drive to prove himself, to dominate, and to live up to Ohio State’s storied linebacker tradition. Whether that leads to a Butkus Award this year or next remains to be seen, but the foundation is firmly in place.
So when the Butkus Award finalists are announced, don’t be surprised if it’s not Sonny Styles’ name at the top of the list, but Arvell Reese’s. Because when you watch him play, you see the future of Ohio State’s linebacker tradition, and maybe, the best linebacker in college football.
