When Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese showed up to his NFL scouting combine media availability on Wednesday morning, the nameplate at his podium said his first name was “Vell.”
That surprised him.
“No, no, no. You can stick with Arvell,” Reese said at the podium, via Chat Sports.
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What’s clear is that all NFL fans who don’t know Reese’s name will soon, and probably by the end of the week.
In an NFL Draft that only has one quarterback expected to go in the first few picks, Reese might end up as the second overall pick off the board after Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Reese’s athleticism, versatility and production is going to appeal to teams in the top five. Reese said Wednesday that he has already met with the Jets, who have the second pick of the draft. Interviews at the combine do not tip off that a player will go to a certain team, but it also shouldn’t be a surprise that teams selecting in the first few picks of the draft want to get to know Reese better. He’s one of the most intriguing talents in the draft.
Arvell Reese said he prefers to be outside linebacker or an edge defender in the NFL. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Reese played all over Ohio State’s front seven last season, and the Buckeyes’ defense led FBS by allowing only 9.3 points per game. Reese would play off-ball linebacker but also line up on the edge in pass-rushing situations. That’s similar to Micah Parsons’ role at Penn State. Reese has said he has been asked where he wants to play.
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“I’ll tell them outside linebacker, or edge,” Reese said.
That makes sense, because edge rushers have a lot more value in the NFL. Reese said he was on the edge about 60% of the time last season, and he has room to grow as a full-time edge player. He had only 6.5 sacks last season, mostly because he wasn’t rushing all the time.
“I haven’t even scratched the surface of what really I…
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