Arvell Reese

Draft Projection

Measurements

Athletic Testing

College Statistics

Scouting Report

The most physically impressive linebacker in the 2026 draft class at 6'4", 243 lbs with a natural ability to impact the game as both a pass rusher and off-ball linebacker. A complete football player with natural instincts and pass-rushing burst who recorded 69 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2025. Compared to Micah Parsons for his versatility and impact potential.

Player Comparison

Strengths

• Elite physical profile at 6'4" and 243 pounds with exceptional length and room to add functional weight without sacrificing speed or agility when needed.
• Runs a legitimate 4.52 forty-yard dash with the explosiveness and closing burst that shows up consistently on tape when pursuing ball carriers or collapsing on quarterbacks.
• Outstanding strength at the point of attack allows him to stand up offensive linemen on the second level and drive blockers backward into running lanes with regularity.
• Brings legitimate juice as a pass rusher with violent hands, quick first step, and the ability to convert speed to power when working vertically up the arc.
• Displays advanced instincts against the run with quick trigger to diagnose concepts pre-snap and beat pullers to their spot before they can establish position.
• Covers ground sideline to sideline with impressive lateral agility for his size, maintaining proper leverage on ball carriers and breaking down to make tackles in space.
• Versatile enough to play multiple roles within a defensive scheme, having logged significant snaps at edge rusher, inside linebacker, and slot defender without looking uncomfortable.
• Sure tackler who wraps up consistently and uses his long arms to extend his tackle radius, limiting yards after contact when closing on ball carriers.

Areas to Improve

• Gets too aggressive filling gaps at times and loses contain responsibility on bootlegs and option concepts, creating cutback lanes that savvy runners exploit for big gains.
• Struggles with change of direction in man coverage against shifty running backs and slot receivers, lacking the short-area quickness to mirror sudden movements in tight spaces.
• Slow to gain depth against play-action passes and often bites hard on fakes, leaving the middle of the field exposed when quarterbacks work off run action.
• Coverage awareness needs refinement as he tends to cover grass instead of receivers in zone, watching the quarterback too much and allowing receivers to run free.
• Takes blocks square on instead of getting skinny to an edge, occasionally losing gap integrity and creating seams for running backs to exploit between levels.