Early Signing Period: Four-Star LB Arvell Reese Signs With Ohio State

Get to know Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville four-star linebacker Arvell Reese, who signed his national letter of intent with Ohio State on Wednesday.

Height, Weight: 6-3½, 212.

247 Composite Rankings:  He’s rated as the 197th overall prospect, 18th-best linebacker and No. 5 recruit out of Ohio.

Commitment Date: Reese committed to Ohio State on Aug. 6.

Other Offers: Akron, Alabama, Ball State, Bowling Green, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kent State, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami (OH), Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, Toledo, USC, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

How he did in high school: Reese played all over the box in high school, showing a steady hand against the run and as a devastating blitzer. His efforts anchoring Glenville’s defense helped the team to a perfect 15-0 record in the 2022 season, Reese’s senior year, culminating in the school’s first state championship victory.

Why he committed to Ohio State: Reese told multiple outlets during his recruiting process that he intended to commit in November or December of his senior year, but he wound up pulling the trigger on OSU three months prior to that. In the end, the Ohio prospect just felt at home in Columbus.

“I just felt like it was the right time for me,” Reese told Eleven Warriors after his commitment. “I feel like I knew what I wanted to do already. It was the best decision for me, my mom, my dad. It truly was just the best school for me.”

Reese is the lone linebacker commit for Ohio State in its 2023 class, making him one of its more important pledges. Particularly after the Buckeyes swung and missed on such prospects as Many, La., four-star Tackett Curtis and Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit four-star Troy Bowles.

Where he fits for 2023: While Tommy Eichenberg has yet to make a decision on his NFL future, 2022 starting linebacker Steele Chambers has already announced he’ll be back on Ohio State’s defense in 2023, which already deploys just two linebackers a majority of the time. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles does have some three-linebacker sub-packages, and a four-linebacker set he’s unveiled for a few plays.

Still, there’s plenty of depth ensuring Reese’s freshman season is likely spent growing off the field more so than on it. Former five-star C.J. Hicks, Cody Simon, Gabe Powers, Reid Carrico and Chip Trayanum should he return to linebacker after filling in for the team’s injured running back room are all options at the position for Ohio State.