When the expert speaks, everyone needs to listen. 

NFL Draft expert Dan Brugler of The Athletic staked his claim on Wednesday for who is the top player in next year's 2026 NFL Draft.

And while this spot is usually held by the best quarterback, Ohio State Buckeyes fans are excited to find out that star linebacker Avrell Reese currently holds the top spot on his updated draft board.

I'm just going to spoil it. (Arvell) Reese is going to be number one. He is the best player that I have scouted this year, plain and simple. It would be very disingenuous for me to put anyone else at number one because the tape is that good."

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Brugler is saying what Buckeye fans already know. Reese is an absolute stud and quickly became the difference maker on Ohio State's stout defensive efforts in 2025.

In 2024, Reese was found playing special teams for the Buckeyes as the program waltzed their way to the National Championship. However, this changed in 2025, as fellow linebacker Sonny Styles stepped over to replace Cody Simon, paving the way to Reese's immediate impact for Ohio State.

His ability to rush the passer is something that we haven't seen since Micah Parsons was labeled as a linebacker, and he continues to terrorized opposing quarterbacks. His week 10 performance was yet another dominant showing from Reese, as he finished with 12.5 tackles and one sack against the Penn State Nittany Lions. 

Surprisingly enough, Saturday's contest was the first time this season that he logged double-digit tackles for the Buckeyes. It was also his third game with nine-plus tackles, while also tallying over 1.5 tackles for loss three times this season. 

There are several players on the Buckeyes' defense who are "gameplan" guys, or players that offensive coordinators highlight and try to figure out how to beat that guy. Reese is one of them for Ohio State due to his game-wrecker ability, and because of that, he is going to be a major contributor at the NFL level in a few short months.

With four games left in the 2025 regular season for the Buckeyes, it's clear that the defense will not  be challenged during the stretch. This weekend against Purdue, followed by a cross-country date with UCLA before a home tilt against Rutgers and a trip up north, there are no offenses that pose a threat.

Ohio State vs. Penn State Cleanup | HEISMAN Campaigns Announced | Prep for a Trip to West Lafyette The Ohio State Buckeyes put out a special performance on Saturday afternoon against the Penn State Nittany Lions and we start there - so much to unpack from ...

The big test will hopefully come in the Big Ten Championship Game against Indiana Hoosiers, which will become a real test for Reese. This would be a perfect opportunity for the talented linebacker, as players tend to elevate their game to find yet another level with their backs against the wall.

I don't know what Reese could do that would be better than what he is now, but for many draft analysts, his baseline is good enough to be the best player in the 2026 NFL Draft.

For now, Buckeye fans, enjoy what you are seeing because players like him don't come around often.