The New York Giants selected former Ohio State standout Arvell Reese with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
Reese will begin his rookie season in New York facing significant expectations. The linebacker was widely regarded as the top non-quarterback available on draft night, and he should quickly establish himself as a focal point of the Giants’ defense throughout 2026.
NFL fans and analysts alike have frequently compared Reese to some of head coach John Harbaugh’s top linebackers from his time with the Baltimore Ravens, including Hall of Famer Ray Lewis and standout Roquan Smith. However, Reese’s first NFL position coach, Frank Bush, disagrees with those comparisons.
“I just think he’s Arvell Reese,” Bush said, via NJ Advance Media. “Let him be Arvell Reese. We’re not going to put that thing on his shoulders. If he can be the best version of himself, everything will take care of itself. We’ve got to be able to take advantage of his physical skill without overloading him.
“He’s shown an amazing ability to grasp the information, understand the concepts and still flourish within the concepts. He’s not been a mistake guy. He’s been able to flash and make plays, even though we’ve got a lot going on with him. He’s proven that he can handle it. But we as coaches have got to understand where he is and when it’s time to backpedal a little bit and let the kid just use his athleticism.”
Reese recorded 112 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks across his three seasons at Ohio State. He also played a critical role in the Buckeyes’ 2024 National Championship run and consistently performed well under the spotlight at the collegiate level.
With elite speed and athleticism to complement his talent, Reese possesses all the tools necessary to emerge as the next superstar on the Giants’ defense during his rookie campaign.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: No comparisons: Giants’ Frank Bush wants Arvell Reese to develop naturally
Reporting by Jake Boico, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jake Boico, Giants Wire | USA TODAY Network
