Arvell Reese's NFL Combine Performance Praised by Scout, 'Stole the Freaking Show'

Arvell Reese was already considered one of the best prospects in the 2026 draft when he arrived at the NFL Scouting Combine, and all he did was bolster his status with an impressive performance.

"Dude stole the freaking show," an NFL scout said, per Dane Brugler of The Athletic.

Brugler broke down the Ohio State linebacker's performance Wednesday, noting "Reese had one of the most impressive workouts at this year's combine—full stop. His athletic testing was outstanding, as expected, but his on-field performance was even more remarkable. His blend of speed, explosion and violence separates him in this class."

Reese ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds and turned in a 1.58-second 10-yard split.

That speed and burst that helped him blow past offensive linemen for sacks at the collegiate level was on full display, and there are surely plenty of teams that would love to put him in their defensive front for years to come.

B/R's NFL Scouting Department projected the Arizona Cardinals to select him with the No. 3 overall pick in its latest mock draft, while its scouting report highlighted Reese's "physical and elite strength at the point of attack to stand up offensive linemen when taking on blocks on the second level."

That, along with his "impressive speed and pop behind his pads when coming downhill" make him one of the most versatile defenders available and "the most physically impressive linebacker" in the class.

While the Las Vegas Raiders are widely expected to take Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, Reese is someone who will immediately be under the spotlight after the Indiana quarterback hears his name.

Essentially every NFL team could use a potentially dominant pass-rusher who is capable of making plays at multiple levels of the defense, and it would be shocking if he fell out of the top five after such an impressive showing at the combine.