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With the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft expected to be used on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza to make him the Las Vegas Raiders’ next franchise man, many believe the real start of the festivities in Pittsburgh on Thursday night begins with the New York Jets at No. 2 overall.
The plethora of mock drafts flying ahead of one of the most anticipated nights in pro football gives the Jets a decided advantage, and many believe it will be Ohio State standout Arvell Reese.
Reese, an All-American in 2025 and a national champion with the Buckeyes in 2024, has everything a team needs to get an immediate impact player at the line of scrimmage in the first week of September.
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Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese runs during the school’s Pro Day at Woody Hayes Athletics Center. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
So what exactly does Reese think he’ll bring to a franchise, whether he’s picked No. 2 by the Jets or elsewhere?
“I think an NFL team is going to find someone who loves the game, who loves football. Then they’re going to find someone who plays the game violently,” Reese told PK Press Club Digital on the eve of the NFL Draft, while also discussing his partnership with Reese. “I play defense, so to play defense at a high level you have to play violently at all times.
“On top of that, you have to play with hard effort. So, I think an NFL team gets that from me – someone who plays with hard effort, someone who is eager to play violently. You have to look forward to playing violently.”
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Reese is among several former Buckeyes expected to go in the first round Thursday night, including safety Caleb Downs, linebacker Sonny Styles, wide receiver Carnell Tate and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. As Reese says, “If you want to be elite, choose to go to Ohio State.” The Cleveland, Ohio, native stayed in state when he chose the program he wanted to play for in college, and the last three years have led to this moment for one of football’s most dominant rushers last season.
Reese had 10 lost tackles among his 69 combined, and he had 6.5 sacks with two passes defended in 14 games. He ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, and at 21 years old, experts believe there’s a lot more room for Reese, which is always what teams want from a player with a proven track record.
The 6-foot-4, 241-pound Reese said the pre-draft process was “exciting” and a “blessing” as he visited teams on top-30 tours while meeting with players and coaches from around the league. And while Reese is a physical specimen with those intangibles, he understands that being a student of the game is crucial.
Ohio State’s Arvell Reese participates in the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 26, 2026. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
“The biggest piece of advice or wisdom I’ve gotten from coaches or players is that rookie year you really want to put your head down and work,” he said. “You don’t want to talk too much, you want to put your head down and work.
“[Also]the most important thing is to find a vet and guy you can choose from and learn things from. I’m not trying to be exactly like him, but I take elements from the way he prepares and the way he approaches training. Try to add that to your game because there’s a reason the veterans are still there, the guys who play for nine or ten years. This doesn’t happen out of nowhere. These are things they do every day.”
Reese has made his visits, he’s learned some key wisdom, and now it’s time to sit and wait until he hears his name called Thursday night. For a team that needs a violent defender at the line of scrimmage every week, Reese is ready to make the immediate impact expected by being a first-round pick.
THE PERFECT COLLABORATION
It’s only fitting that Reese is launching into the NFL with a partnership with Reese, and the famous peanut butter and chocolate candy teamed up with the first-round talent for a fun wardrobe surprise ahead of his walk on the NFL Draft red carpet Thursday night in Pittsburgh.
“For the costume, we collaborated,” Reese revealed during the interview. “I’m excited to be a part of Reese’s draft team.”
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese runs during the Big Ten Championship football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on December 6, 2025. (James Black/Sportswire Icon)
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No details on what exactly the costume will look like were given by Reese, but he’s just excited to team up with his favorite candy he grew up with. It’s not just a natural partnership because of the name: he still likes Reese’s.
“I grew up eating Reese’s. I still eat Reese’s,” he said, smiling. “My mom always gave me Reese’s Cups. I always looked forward to getting Reese’s Cups. So it was natural and I was excited when I heard about it.”
