Exclusive: Arvell Reese Believes He's the Best Player in the 2026 NFL Draft

Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese has no expectations for the 2026 NFL draft in Pittsburgh on Thursday night.

But he’s pretty sure he knows what to expect from his mother, Maeko Walker, and his high school football coach, Ted Ginn Sr., whenever his name is called.

“Man, they’ll probably break down crying,” Reese, 20, tells Newsweek over Zoom. “They’re gonna be real happy and excited for me. My mom is for sure gonna cry. Coach Ginn, for sure, might cry. They’ve seen how far I’ve come. They’ve seen me through my ups and downs.”

Before Reese became a top-ranked prospect in this year’s draft, he was a boy in Cleveland, Ohio, who almost quit football entirely - if not for his mom and coach Ginn.

Walker suffered a stroke when Reese was in eighth grade, derailing everything he thought he understood about himself and the world, but Ginn put him back on sturdy ground once Reese transferred to Glenville. Reese’s commitment was rewarded with a starring role in Glenville’s first state championship in 2022, including an interception in the state championship game.

At Ohio State, Reese won the national title as a sophomore, but he didn’t win over NFL scouts until last season.

In Matt Patricia’s scheme, Reese excelled as an All-American joker defender and won the Big Ten Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year award. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranks Reese as the best overall prospect in the 2026 draft class, in part, because of his enormous athletic upside and versatility as a linebacker or edge rusher.

It all starts on the North Shore in Pittsburgh on Thursday night.

Reese will wear a suit designed in collaboration with Reese’s - described as “the perfect combo, just like peanut butter and chocolate” - as he walks up to the main stage, shakes NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s hand, and throws on the hat of the team lucky enough to draft him.

“I honestly don’t know if I’m gonna cry,” Reese says. “I’ve never experienced anything like this before.”

Before he finally experiences it, Reese spoke with Newsweek about all those comparisons to Green Bay Packers All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons, the “violence” he plans to bring to the league, what it would take for his NFL career to be a success, and more.

What do you make of all the Micah Parsons comparisons?

Reese: I’m gonna be honest: It doesn’t really mean nothin’ to me. It’s cool that they compare me to him because he is a great player, but it’s just comparisons and projections.

Did you have a favorite NFL player as a kid?

Reese: I used to play running back growing up, so my favorite player as a kid was Chris Johnson.

When did you first start to dream about making it to the NFL?

Reese: Really, as a kid, but I’d say it hit me that I could really do it in my senior year of high school. That’s when I knew that I could really do it. As a kid, I always wanted to do it, but it was never a reality for me.

What's the primary chip on your shoulder you're carrying with you into the NFL?

Reese: I’ve just got a high standard for myself, and I know what I can do and what I want to do. Every time I’m playing football, I’m just thinking about playing hard and fast, with a relentless effort.

After three years at Ohio State, I know you're used to being under the microscope, but is it still an out-of-body experience to have every little aspect of your body and potential be nitpicked by perfect strangers throughout the draft process?

Reese: I mean, it’s a big job. They’re going to put a lot of money into me as a player, so they’ve gotta make sure everything is on point. I guess from the outside looking in, it’s a little off, but I don’t really mind it.

Daniel Jeremiah evaluated you as a "chess piece." How does that description land with you?

Reese: I think that’s a good description of me because you can move me around in a bunch of different places and get creative with me to where it’s opening up other players to make plays.

What is the most inaccurate thing you've seen about yourself?

Reese: I can’t think of one thing.

What is the most accurate thing you've seen about yourself?

Reese: I’ve seen a couple of people bring up my relentless effort and the violence I play with, and I’d say that’s pretty accurate. I can confidently say that’s accurate because I know myself and know what I’m always thinking about doing on the field: Doing something violent. That’s accurate.

Draft analysts, fans, and scouts have learned a lot about you, but what have you learned about yourself throughout the draft process?

Reese: I’ve realized how people feel about me.

What has been your favorite part?

Reese: I think the favorite part for me has just been meeting all the coaches, GMs, teams, and everybody. Just meeting a bunch of guys who have been around the game of football for a long time and treating everybody with the utmost respect because you never know where you’re gonna end up or who you might meet down the line.

Do you have one piece of advice from any former Ohio State players or current NFL players tucked into your back pocket heading into the draft?

Reese: I was just training with [Indianapolis Colts defensive end] J.T. Tuimoloau, and he was just telling me that when you’re coming in as a rookie, you kind of want to lean on and pick the vets’ brains because they’ve been around for a long time. They know how to operate. They know what to do and what not to do. They’ve made mistakes and then made the right decisions as a rookie. So, J.T. told me to just get around those guys and make sure you’re taking advice from those vets.

How have you envisioned your draft night playing out?

Reese: I ain’t really envisioned it yet. I haven’t really thought about it, for real.

Do you have a plan?

Reese: The plan is just to go to the draft and wait! [Laughs] Well, I do have something special coming with the suit - with my Reese’s collaboration. I think it’s gonna be exciting to show that off.

Do you have a player you’re most looking forward to playing against in the NFL?

Reese: I haven’t really thought about that. I just want to play, honestly.

It seems like you don’t get ahead of yourself in any way.

Reese: Yeah.

Where does that mindset, the ability to stay present, come from?

Reese: I just know that nothing is guaranteed. Everything right now is just what could happen. It’s nothing but predictions. Nothing is guaranteed, so I can’t hope for anything or bank on nothin’. Just stay in the moment and go with what happens. You’ve got to stick to the things you can control.

What can you guarantee about the player one NFL team is getting?

Reese: Oh, yeah. I can guarantee they’re getting somebody who will play with relentless effort and a high level of violence. I can guarantee that.

Do you believe, like many people say, that you are the best player in this draft?

Reese: Yes. I believe whoever drafts me is going to get a player who's going to come in and make an immediate impact

On the eve of a brand new chapter of your life, it feels fitting to end with a fill-in-the-blank: I will consider my NFL career a success if…

Reese: I win.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 4:47 PM.