Reese, a late bloomer at OSU, burst onto the scene in his third campaign with the Buckeyes, making the biggest difference among members of an elite defense since the first week of the 2025 season. Reese finished his breakout year with 69 tackles (10 for a loss), 6.5 sacks and two pass breakups, a stat line good enough for first-team All-American and All-Big Ten honors as well as Big Ten Linebacker of the Year honors.
Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia thought of using Reese as a checkerboard in his defense, moving the 6-foot-4 linebacker around the front seven to create mismatches and give Reese the best chance to destroy the opposition’s schemes. The results were overwhelmingly positive, so much so that he fit the bill at the NFL level — cornerback or versatile linebacker? – remained a topic of discussion leading up to the draft and will likely continue into the 2026 season.
Reese’s edge game is the least refined part of his overall skill profile, but with an incredible testing performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, scouts are raving about his potential to become a Micah Parsons-like game-wrecking linebacker, propelling him up the rankings over the last six weeks.
Reese’s experience is limited, having spent one season as a special teamer and another campaign as a linebacker, but he finished his career as the undisputed star of the defense with a first-round pick. He will enter the NFL with high expectations and a physical profile that has the potential to match them, even if it wasn’t with the team many expected.
Reese also joins a Giants defense loaded with talent, especially in the front seven, so he’ll be well isolated up front. That’s good for a player who won’t turn 21 until just before the start of the regular season.
With Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Tremaine Edmunds, Reese and others, the Giants have some great talent, and they can spoon-feed Reese with situations until he proves he’s ready for more. This may end up being a great choice, but it doesn’t come without risks.
Of course, the Giants had little time to celebrate the selection of Reese, with another top-10 pick shortly after. They got some protection for quarterback Jaxson Dart, which is always a good idea. A right tackle for the Hurricanes, Mauigoa could start initially at right guard, with last year’s starter Greg Van Roten still unsigned. Jon Runyan Jr. and John Michael Schmitz are also in the final years of their contracts.
The Giants are still short of receivers, and they dealt Reese’s teammate Downs, who some believe could be a generational safety. But they also needed blocking help, and the pairing of Reese and Mauigoa fits well with the safety. Both should contribute early for Harbaugh.