There are few men in the country as equipped for the task of talking about good linebacker play as James Laurinaitis.
Not only is he a Butkus Award winner, three-time All-American and eight-year NFL veteran at the position, he had his own radio show for multiple years on 97.1 the Fan after his playing career ended before becoming Ohio State’s linebackers coach. He knows linebacker play better than anything, and he knows how to put his thoughts on linebackers into words.
But when someone asked Laurinaitis about Arvell Reese at interviews on Thursday, it took him eight seconds to parse his excitement down to seven words, then to start elaborating.
“Arvell is so talented. Like, so talented,” Laurinaitis said, then gave a long pause. “I'm grateful here at Ohio State to have a guy that looks like Sonny (Styles) and Arvell. (Arvell’s) length and his ability to move around and position flex just makes him all the more valuable. I think what we're doing is, we're realizing everything Arvell Reese can do. And it's a lot. That's a special talent.”
With significant experience under his belt from being the team’s third linebacker in 2024, Reese is ready to take up the mantle as Ohio State’s Mike alongside Will linebacker Sonny Styles in 2025.
“I'm ready for it,” Reese said. “I mean, that's what I'm here for.”
The 6-foot-4, 238-pound Reese shot skyward like a bottle rocket packed with jet fuel during his 2024 sophomore campaign. He entered preseason camp fourth on Ohio State’s linebacker depth chart, but after an outstanding August, he jumped C.J. Hicks to become the Buckeyes’ No. 3 linebacker in the first few weeks of the season.
With that came 307 snaps of playing time, and Reese delivered 43 tackles, four tackles for loss and half a sack while spelling starters or entering for a 4-3 subpackage. He made his first career start against Michigan State in Week 5 out of a 4-3 look.
“I got a lot of reps last year,” Reese said. “So, I feel like more reps come with more confidence, and just playing faster.”
There’s a lot to replace for Reese at the Mike position from a year ago. Cody Simon was the unquestioned leader of Ohio State’s defense, a team captain and its Block “O” jersey recipient. He proved immeasurably valuable during the Buckeyes’ four-game CFP run, and finished the season with 112 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks and seven pass breakups.
“I think it’s definitely some big shoes to fill because Cody was a great player, great leader,” Reese said. “He was like the quarterback of the defense. He’s definitely some big shoes to fill, for sure.”
Reese noted that Styles, and even Simon last year, give him good examples of how to be a leader at the linebacker position.
“I try to prepare like (Simon),” Reese said. “I learned that from him. When he prepares, he’s intentional. So, that's definitely something I try to do like him.”
With his experience and preparation for defensive quarterbacking has come an added maturity for Reese, Laurinaitis said. One of the ways the Cleveland Glenville product has grown his game is his ability to take coaching and self-reflect.
“He has matured so much from two years ago,” Laurinaitis said. “What I always appreciate, and I mean this, what I appreciate about Arvell Reese is that he has the inability – he'll joke around, but when you ask him a question, he will tell you the honest to God truth. He doesn't care how silly it makes him seem. It doesn't matter.”
Reese is developing more rapport with Styles, too, who seems destined to be a team captain in 2025. Sophomore Payton Pierce also figures to be a fixture of the Buckeyes’ rotation, filling Reese’s former role as a rotational piece and 4-3 subpackage weapon.
“I think it's good,” Reese said of his chemistry with Styles. “We talk a lot, we communicate a lot pre-snap. I think it's good with everybody. Same with Payton and a lot of those guys.”
The length, athleticism and talent Reese combines with Styles entering 2025 is apparent. This offseason will be about building on it as they look to become one of the nation’s elite starting linebacker duos.
