Ohio State LB Arvell Reese’s Stunning 4.47 40-Yard Dash Ignites NFL Buzz—Is He the Next Big Draft Surprise?

Is Arvell Reese the next defensive phenom ready to shake up the 2026 NFL Draft—or just Ohio State’s best-kept secret until now? Watching this linebacker storm the Combine with a blazing 4.47-second 40-yard dash, I can’t help but wonder if the New York Jets are about to snag a game-changer who transcends traditional linebacker roles. At 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, Reese’s blend of speed and size isn’t just impressive—it’s downright compelling, especially with whispers of him shifting to edge rusher and chasing the kind of sacks that pay serious dividends. Add in the Jets’ recent edge rusher trade, and it feels like the perfect storm brewing around a player whose stock isn’t just rising—it’s soaring. Buckle up; Reese might just rewrite what we expect from a linebacker in today’s NFL. LEARN MORE.

Former Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese will be one of the first defensive players taken in the 2026 NFL Draft. The star defender is projected to go as high as No. 2 overall to the New York Jets.

The NFL Combine is going on right now, and Reese just finished his 40-yard dash, putting up impressive numbers.

ARVELL REESE SUB-4.5

Sheesh. https://t.co/r0DKKBxY19 pic.twitter.com/NlyGj7Jvx9

— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) February 27, 2026

Reese put up a 4.47 40 that will certainly open up a lot of eyes. Reese ran a 4.53 on his first attempt. It will be tough for the Jets to pass up on him, however, fellow Ohio State star Caleb Downs could easily go second overall instead. Nonetheless, these numbers will have Reese’s stock rise.

In two seasons with the Buckeyes, Reese finished with 112 career tackles (52 solo) with two pass deflections and 7.0 sacks. He had 6.5 sacks last season. At 6-foot-4 and roughly 245 lbs, Reese can play linebacker or do something similar to Micah Parsons and move over to an edge rusher. There is a good chance that Reese begins his NFL career as a linebacker.

If the Jets want Reese, then they may want him as an edge rusher. On Thursday, the Jets just traded their best edge rusher, Jermaine Johnson II, to the Tennessee Titans for T’Vondre Sweat. Maybe the Jets are thinking about improving the entire defensive front rather than having two edge rushers.

Reese recently said that he would love to rush the passer, and he isn’t wrong for wanting that. Edge rushers make the big bucks now.

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