Everyone was talking about Ohio State’s defense as the best this past season. The Buckeyes led the country in both yards and points allowed. So, if any team was looking to improve its defense, it already has several prospects in Columbus to pick from. And that’s what the New York Giants did, choosing versatility when they made their pick.
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With their No. 5 pick, the Giants picked Ohio State LB Arvell Reese in the 2026 NFL Draft. And it came with a little Harbaugh twist, too, as John Harbaugh, head coach of the Giants and brother of former Michigan head coach Jim, found himself tied to one of the earliest Buckeye headlines of the night. And just like that, Ohio State set the tone again.
It didn’t take long for the first defensive Buckeye to hear his name called. What raised eyebrows, though, is that he wasn’t even the first non-QB off the board. But once the Giants were on the clock, the suspense didn’t last. They wanted versatility, speed, and someone who could wreck a game, and Arvell Reese checks all three.
During ESPN’s broadcast, Arvell Reese said that the Giants made their intentions clear about using him “in a bunch of unique ways.” It’s important to note that he didn’t enter the 2025 season as a lock for the LB spot. But from a rising prospect to a top-5 cornerstone, his surge changed everything.
🚨 Ohio State LB Arvell Reese goes No. 5 overall to the New York Giants. Another Buckeye at the very top—Ohio State is setting the tone early in this draft. 🔥
Arvell Reese showed grit as early as Week 1 against Texas in a 14-7 win where he recorded nine tackles and a sack. From there, he only went up, and by season’s end, he already had 69 tackles and 6.5 sacks along with consensus All-American honors and Big Ten Linebacker of the Year. Now, he has become the first Ohio State defensive player drafted in the top five since 2020.
By going in the first round, Reese not only broke a drought for Buckeye linebackers dating back to Darron Lee in 2016, but he also cemented his place in program history, tying A.J. Hawk as the second-highest drafted linebacker behind only the legendary No. 1 overall pick, Tom Cousineau, who was picked at the top in 1979.
Reese’s selection continues Ohio State’s reign as college football’s top producer of first-round talent, bringing their total to 97. His top-five status, alongside teammate Carnell Tate at No. 4, marks the fourth time since 1997 the Buckeyes have landed multiple players at the top of the draft, proving why NFL teams consistently bet big on talent from Columbus.
Why Arvell Reese fits with the Giants
Ryan Day didn’t mince words after the pick.
“The Giants are getting a young, dominant player who has a huge ceiling,” he said of his former player. “Arvell has elite traits and is someone who has worked tirelessly to put himself in this position. As a Cleveland and Ginn Academy product, we are all excited to watch him transition to the NFL and become a franchise player.”
Arvell Reese terrorized backfields all season and capped a three-year career with 112 total tackles. But maybe the most convincing part of his story is the climb. He was just playing special teams snaps as a freshman. Then it climbed to 500+ total snaps as a sophomore. Then he became the face of the defense as a junior. And now, he could be doing great things with the Giants.
There’s also a connection here worth noting. New York has now drafted 22 Buckeyes in its history, with Arvell Reese becoming just the fourth first-rounder among them. The last was Eli Apple in 2016. And if his 2025 season told us anything, it’s that he’s walking in, expected to contribute immediately as the top-five pick.
