The Ohio State Buckeyes continue to dominate throughout the 2025 college football season, thanks to the efforts of the program’s star players.
While junior safety Caleb Downs received all the praise heading into the season, there has been one starter who has clearly established himself as a top playmaker in the country in linebacker Avrell Reese.
Ohio State’s defense lost multiple starters from the 2024 National Championship squad, but Reese has easily filled this role with the Buckeyes this year, recording 54 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, and two pass deflections through eight games.
The impressive showing from Reese this season makes him the leader in sacks for the Buckeyes, while also catching the eyes of many NFL scouts.
When tasked with facing a struggling Penn State Nittany Lions program that recently fired their head coach, Reese took full advantage of the subpar offense, racking up 12 tackles, 2.5 tackles for losses, and one sack in week 10.
His outstanding play on Saturday ultimately led to him being named the Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
Under newly-hired defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, the Buckeyes’ defense continues to look better than last year’s highly acclaimed unit. In 2025, Ohio State ranks first in points allowed per game (6.5) and first in total offensive yards allowed per game (214.8). But none of these mind-blowing stats would have been achieved without the help of Reese.
Despite being listed as a linebacker, Reese possesses an elite frame that allows him to be a game-wrecker as a pass rusher. At 6-foot-4, 243 lbs., the Cleveland, OH native is built like an NFL EDGE rusher, but can also drop back into coverage and be a huge threat against opposing teams’ run games.
The consistent versatility that he displays on a weekly basis makes him a perfect weapon in Patricia’s defense, as he can be an issue everywhere he lines up on the field.
However, due to his size, strength, and impressive pass-rushing tape, many NFL scouts and draft analysts believe that Reese could become an EDGE rusher at the next level. If Reese does decide to make the switch to an EDGE rusher prior to the 2026 NFL Draft, the move would help his draft stock, as NFL teams value stout pass-rushing prospects over linebackers.