Even though the 2025 NFL season just started, it’s never too early to look ahead toward the 2026 NFL Draft. This weekly series will take a closer look at some of the prospects the Carolina Panthers could
select in the 2026 iteration of the Draft. In this series, we’ll only be looking at prospects the Panthers could seriously consider. This week our profile will focus on Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese.
Bio
Reese ended his high school career at Glenville High in Ohio by being the keystone in a defense that did not allow a point during its six game state championship run. Despite receiving offers from Penn State and Alabama, Reese decided to stay close to home and headed to Columbus. His first college season was spent entirely on special teams, but his sophomore season saw him become a legitimate player on the Buckeyes defense. He also performed well in the classroom, earning Academic All-Big 10 honors. This season, Rese has emerged as a defensive star for Ohio State, making plays all over the field and earning some top ten pick c0nsideration in April’s NFL Draft.
Strengths/Weaknesses
One of Reese’s main strengths is his physical profile. He has the size (6’4”, 240 lbs) and athleticism to make him a terror for opposing offenses. He brings the strength and hit power of a traditional off ball linebacker and the range of a safety when dropping back in coverage. Against the run, his length and agility allow him to easily beat blocks while his film study helps him beat blockers to their spots on occasion. Reese also has shown the versatility to be productive in multiple roles, showing good coverage skills while also notching 6.5 sacks already this season. This is in large part due to his film study habits and quick learning, rarely being beat by the same concept more than once.
As with most young players, Reese does tend to get a little over aggressive and lose some of his technique at times. This is most apparent on play action, especially against bootlegs, where he often bites hard on the play fake and loses contain on the quarterback.
Projection
Reese is the ideal modern linebacker in today’s NFL. He’s a player who can hang with tight ends (and even some slot receivers) in coverage while also being able to fit the run and rush the passer when needed. He has all the tools you could ask for in a linebacker while also being a student of the game. Most projections have Reese becoming a dynamic defensive player at the next level.
If the Panthers retain Ejiro Evero as defensive coordinator, Reese could be an interesting fit. While Evero’s off ball linebackers are usually a little shorter than him, Reese could be a fantastic player in the middle next to Trevin Wallace and/or Christian Rozeboom. What’s more, Reese’s athletic profile fits Evero’s preferred edge defender to a T. Reese could be used as a combination linebacker and edge defender since he has shown the ability to get after the quarterback. Evero also loves dropping his edge rushers into coverage, which would work much better with Reese compared to asking Nic Scourton or Princely Umanmielen to cover.
What do you think, Panthers fans? If Arvell Reese is available when the Panthers select in the 2026 NFL Draft, should they take him? Sound off in the comments!
