The New York Giants recently hosted Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese for a pre-draft top-30 visit, joining the New York Jets in bringing in the highly regarded prospect for in-depth evaluation.
Sports Illustrated’s Arye Pulli reported that the meetings took place earlier this week, allowing Reese to network with NFC East rivals during the opening of NFL free agency.
OnSI has learned that Reese participated in top-30 pre-draft visits with the Jets and New York Giants earlier this week.
Reese, the No. 3 player on ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper’s post-conference grand committee, cautiously met with two teams in New York as the NFL free agency period began. He was the Jets’ second overall selection and the Giants’ fifth overall selection.
Reese is a 6-foot-4, 241-pound versatile guard from Cleveland, Ohio who had a stellar junior season with the Buckeyes in 2025. He finished with 69 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and was named a unanimous All-American, first-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten Linebacker of the Year.
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He impressed at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and his versatility as an off-ball defender or rusher. Scouts praised his athleticism, size and potential as a hybrid player who can rush the passer while getting into coverage.
Scouting report from NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein:
At 20 years old, Reese is still growing physically and in his game, but learning from James Laurinaitis (linebackers coach) and Matt Patricia (defensive coordinator) should give him a head start in adapting to the pro game. He plays off-ball linebacker and tight end and has the talent to generate impact at either position. His versatility in third down adds versatility to the formation and helps mask defensive intentions. His run diagnosis and angle of attack are both average, but once triggered, he flows quickly, stacking and hitting with confident hands. He has a lot of speed in pursuit and his ability to finish tackles could be elite. His rushes are dynamic and difficult for tackles to imitate. It is under construction, but Rees has sprouted preferred actions and emergency plans that need further refinement. He may need some running room to hit his stride, but his rare blend of traits, explosiveness and versatility could be a perfect storm of chaos once defenses decide how to deploy him.
Reese, who is projected to be a top-five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, made the announcement early and generated significant interest from teams looking for a defensive impact.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants host Ohio State LB Arvell Reese in top 30