After a breakout 2025 season at Ohio State, Arvell Reese's focus remains on finding ways to elevate his game.
"There's just so much room for improvement with me," he shared with reporters Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. "I just can't wait to get better."
Over the past several months, several media outlets have projected that the highly touted linebacker will be a top 10 selection in April's draft and could be selected as high as No. 2 overall by the Jets.
A versatile player who saw time both as an off-ball linebacker and edge rusher with the Buckeyes, Reese burst onto the scene in 2025. Having the opportunity to start during his junior season, the 6-4, 243-pound player recorded 69 tackles and 6.5 sacks as a member of the No. 1 ranked defense in the country. His exceptional play earned him consensus All-American honors, and he was named the Big Ten Conference's Linebacker of the Year as well as a finalist for the Butkus Award.
"I saw it coming," Reese said of his breakout season. "When coach Patricia [Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia] showed me what my role could be, I knew that I could become something."
He added: "I knew I could do it before I even got there. It's just the mentality I have and how I play. I knew I could become something at Ohio State, that's why I went there."
Now focused on the next steps in his career, Reese expressed his openness to be an edge rusher or outside linebacker when he enters the league. Though Reese is carrying confidence in his ability into the draft process, he also knows there is room for growth in several aspects of his game. He stressed that he "hasn't even scratched the surface" when it comes to his pass-rushing ability, describing his technique as one fueled by speed and power.
"On the football field, I'm just always thinking to play violent," he said. "That's the first thing I'm always thinking about. Playing violent and playing fast."
Reese's transition to the NFL could be more seamless than most, given the exceptional talent he was surrounded by throughout his college career. Several of his fellow Buckeyes from the 2025 season could be top 10 selections in April's draft, including S Caleb Downs, WR Carnell Tate and LB Sonny Styles.
"I think it's kind of like that at Ohio State, I think that's kind of the reason I went there, too," he said. "It's dogs everywhere. You've got to be comfortable with knowing that you're not going to be the only dog there. You've got to just work to get better every day, can't just be complacent."
He added: "I think we [Ohio State] were talented at every position. I think that's just what Ohio State does and produces -- elite athletes and players."
An elite talent himself, Reese said he has already met with several teams this week, one of them being the Jets.
"That meeting was a lot of, they installed something and wanted to see where my head was at," he said. "I think that's a serious organization. I respect the guys I met with, I respect that room, for sure."
He added of having the opportunity to play for the Green & White: "That'd be amazing. Just getting a chance in the NFL would be amazing."
