Who Is No. 1 NFL Draft Prospect on New Top 100 Big Board Rankings from ESPN's Jeff Legwold?

ESPN's Jeff Legwold feels the best prospect in the 2026 NFL draft is coming out of Ohio State.

Legwold ranked former Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese as the top prospect in his Top 100 big board ahead of Thursday's start of the draft.

He described Reese as "an electric player with the brightest of futures, given he won't turn 21 until August."

"Reese is a dynamic rusher who has shown burgeoning counter moves that are already difficult for opposing tackles," Legwold wrote. "He also has the bend of the best pass rushers, sets a forceful edge when needed and can be impactful off the ball."

Reese recorded 6.5 sacks and 10.0 tackles for loss in 14 games during his breakout junior season at Ohio State. He was described by B/R NFL scout Matt Holder as "the most physically impressive linebacker in the 2026 draft class."

Legwold ranked Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Texas Tech edge David Bailey and Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles as his three top prospects behind Reese.

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who is ranked as the top overall prospect on the latest Bleacher Report big board, came in at No. 5.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who is widely projected to the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 1 pick, was ranked No. 7 behind LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.

Reese is one of the 16 players who have accepted invitations to the opening day of the draft alongside Love, Bailey, Styles, Downs and Delane. Mendoza has told the NFL he will not be in attendance.

The 2026 NFL draft is set to kick off Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in Pittsburgh.