One of the biggest names in college football has entered the 2026 NFL draft, and that is good news for the New York Jets.
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese took to Instagram to announce his intentions to forgo his remaining eligibility to enter the draft.
Reese, 20, is the fourth-ranked overall player and the top-ranked defender on Mel Kiper Jr’s big board for ESPN.
“This is a complete football player. Reese jumps off the Ohio State tape, playing the game like a veteran. I see natural instincts at the linebacker position that allow him to make plays most guys just can’t make, and he has the burst to get home when turned loose as a pass rusher. Reese has been a big riser in this class,” Kiper wrote.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini reacted to the news on social media, saying, “[Reese] certainly has to be in the conversation for the Jets at No. 2.”
The Ultimate Backup Plan for the Jets This Offseason
Reese entering this draft is good news for Jets fans.
The favorite to go No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders is Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza of Indiana.
What we don’t know is if Oregon quarterback Dante Moore will enter the draft. That news, one way or another, will come at some point this month. It depends on how the Ducks perform the rest of the way through the College Football Playoff.
If Moore enters the draft, there is a very good chance that he ends up being the No. 2 overall pick by the Jets. However, if he doesn’t enter the draft, at this moment in time, there doesn’t appear to be another QB worthy of being selected with that draft choice.
So now what do the Jets do?
They would have the No. 1 overall pick of any non-quarterback if Mendoza is the top selection. So the Jets would have their pick of the litter of any other position in this class.
That group of potential prospects to consider certainly includes Reese. Reese’s decision to enter provides a floor for the Jets’ draft position.
Jets Defense Needs Talent, Reese Has That in Spades
The Jets trotted out one of the worst defenses in NFL history this past season. That unit could use a massive facelift.
You can’t go wrong taking Reese.
Reese has served as a pass rusher and a linebacker for the Buckeyes. During his three years with the program, he has collected seven sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, two pass deflections, and 112 total tackles.
He is listed at 6-foot-4 and weighs 243 pounds, per ESPN.
“Ohio State LB Arvell Reese declares for the draft. An athletic freak, Reese went from situational player on the national title team in 2024 to a consensus first-team All-American. His wait won’t be long on the night of April 23,” NFL Insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated predicted.
His wait won’t be long on the night of April 23.
“Rare movement skills at that size. Violent hands. Excellent tackler in space,” National Scout Kyron Samuels posted on social media.
Rare movement skills at that size. Violent hands. Excellent tackler in space.
Top-10 pick.
“Arvell Reese is an ELITE edge prospect teleologically. If he’s mocked top 3 or top 5, pay no mind to the fact he’s listed as an off-ball linebacker,” NFL Draft Files posted on X.
If he’s mocked top 3 or top 5, pay no mind to the fact he’s listed as an off-ball linebacker
Jets Get Good News After Huge NFL Draft Announcement