COLUMBUS, Ohio — In his six weeks as Ohio State football’s defensive coordinator, Matt Patricia has recorded six spring practices, two press conferences and two unprompted mentions of linebacker Arvell Reese.
When asked about that last stat, linebackers coach James Laurinaitis shuffled through a range of expressions.
He smiled. He shook his head. He paused for a second. He exhaled.
Finally, he answered.
“Arvell is so talented,” Laurinaitis said. “Like, so talented.”
Reese — a product of Glenville High School in Cleveland — is entering his junior season with the Buckeyes, and little uncertainty hovers around his expected step into the starting lineup.
While it was evident what he could become as a four-star prospect in the 2023 signing class, the potential is now coming to fruition as Ohio State moves forward without Cody Simon at the position.
“We’re realizing everything that Arvell Reese can do,” Laurinaitis said. “It’s a lot. It’s a lot. That’s a special talent. That’s a special talent. He has matured so much from two years ago.”
The key to his jump? Unmatched honesty.
Laurinaitis knows players who will try explaining a mistake in roundabout ways. That’s not the case with Reese.
Laurinaitis used an example of a team lining up in a trips formation. If he misses it, Reese doesn’t dance around his explanation.
“Arvell will just be like, ‘I didn’t know there was trips out there. I didn’t see it,‘” Laurinaitis said. “He’ll just tell you honestly.”
“You can’t be one of those guys where they ask you what happened and you try to lie,” Reese said. “Then you get in the film room, and you’re obviously lying. Just be honest.”
Laurinaitis’ hypothetical may be a thing of the past, though.
“I can’t remember the last time that happened,” Reese said. “That’s a good thing.”
Reese spent his sophomore season as Ohio State’s third linebacker, playing behind Simon and Sonny Styles. He collected 43 tackles, including a career-high seven in his first taste of the rivalry vs. Michigan.
This year, he’ll step into Simon’s role while playing alongside Styles. He’ll join an impressive lineage at linebacker which includes Tommy Eichenberg, Steele Chambers and Tuf Borland, among others.
Reese believes he can be the next great one.
“I’m ready for it,” he said. “That’s what I’m here for.”
