Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese is widely seen as a consensus top 5 prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, but top five picks don’t usually go to off-ball linebackers. Reese is just the latest in a line of prospects in recent years who made a name for themselves as linebackers in college before ultimately becoming pass rushers in the NFL. He confirmed as much at the NFL Scouting Combine, telling reporters that he would participate in drills for both off-ball linebackers and edge rushers in Indianapolis (per Dane Brugler of The Athletic) but prefers to play outside linebacker and rush the passer (per ESPN’s Turron Davenport).
As a true freshman for the Buckeyes in 2023, concussions and a depth chart that included players like Cody Simon and Tommy Eichenberg relegated Reese to eight games-worth of special teams duties. When he finally got opportunities on defense as a sophomore, Reese held a role solely as LB3, with only six snaps coming up close to the line as an edge. As a full-time starter in 2025, though, Reese’s time on defense was split nearly down the middle between linebacker and edge rusher with just 41 more snaps coming on the edge. Ohio State endeavored to use Reese where he was most effective this year, and he was their best pass rushing linebacker while sometimes struggling in coverage.
It’s not uncommon these days for star linebackers to make a transition to pass rusher. Sometimes, the NFL’s demands for off-ball linebackers don’t match a prospect’s skillset, sometimes a team’s desire for an elite pass rusher outweighs its need for an elite linebacker, and sometimes players see the disparity of pay between top-paid linebackers and top-paid edge rushers in the NFL and make their decision based on earning potential. Regardless, Reese is set to follow in the steps of Jihaad Campbell, Abdul Carter, and Micah Parsons before him.
Here are a few other rumors coming out of Indianapolis in the past few days:
- Widely seen as one of the top cornerback prospects in the draft and an expected first-round pick, Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy did not work out or participate in position drills at the combine with the other defensive backs yesterday, per Jordan Reid of ESPN. After an incredibly impressive true freshman year at Oregon State (two interceptions, seven passes defensed), McCoy transferred to Tennessee for Year 2 and secured first-team All-SEC honors after doubling his freshman pick total and logging nine more passes defensed. After tearing his ACL, McCoy was forced to miss his entire junior year, but he chose to declare for the draft anyway. He has reportedly fully recovered since suffering the injury but will save his workouts for the Volunteers’ pro day.
- There are sure to be lots of passing interests and smokescreens at the combine this weekend, but according to Pat Leonard of New York Daily News, the Giants have shown early interest in a few prospects already. After securing key, young offensive weapons like Malik Nabers, Jaxson Dart, and Cam Skattebo in recent drafts, New York reportedly has shown interest in adding another. Leonard indicates USC’s Makai Lemon and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate are names that have drawn the team’s attention in Indianapolis. In addition, though the Giants are currently pretty deep at pass rusher, Tate’s teammate, Reese, was a person of interest for New York, as well.
- Lastly, Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor is one of several linemen that could hear their name called on Day 1 of the draft. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, though, Proctor may not stay on the blindside at the next level. Per Breer, Proctor’s elite size and athleticism make him a potential first-round prospect, but in order to stay at left tackle he’ll need to take advantage of his massive frame without getting slower as he manages his weight. This balancing act combined with a strong down-blocking ability in the run game have some convinced that he may do better at guard or right tackle once he reaches the NFL level.