Jami Jurich
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Hidden gem Arvell Reese is waiting in the wings, ready to shine
Jami Jurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images
The sophomore linebacker is poised for more reps on defense, and with them, a glimpse at his potential for greatness.
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Akron.
As the Buckeyes’ starting lineup and depth chart start to take their final shape in advance of next weekend’s Week One game against Akron, linebacker Arvell Reese is still out to prove himself to coaches and teammates—and they’re taking notice.
The six-foot-four, 238-pound sophomore—a former four-star linebacker prospect out of Cleveland—moved to defensive end during his first offseason before switching to linebacker at the tail end of last year’s fall camp.
As a freshman last season, Reece was a summer enrollee and had some injury troubles at camp that limited him to special teams play early in the season. He then played in a few games at special teams before another early-season injury against Youngstown State took him out for a few weeks. In total, Reese played eight games last season, all on special teams.
But last year’s Arvell Reese and this year’s Arvell Reese are two very different players.
Now, he’s healthy and entering his first full year at linebacker after his position shift, making him one of the younger and more inexperienced players in a position group that includes Cody Simon, Sonny Styles, and C.J. Hicks. He’s ready to rise to the occasion.
Physically, Reese is extremely versatile, with explosive speed, the power to hit hard, and the quick intelligence to find gaps and shut down opponents’ run games. He has the potential to play multiple roles on defense, though he’s currently training as the Mike linebacker. His biggest learning curve in the spot has come in learning the playbook and finding the confidence he’ll need for the leadership the Mike position requires of him.
For Reese, though, the move felt natural enough that he’s been able to find that comfort. He said he’s had an easier time learning the plays, which in turn has helped him find his voice. This vocality will be critical for him as he looks to play a bigger role in Ohio State’s defensive schema, in a position that bears a lot of responsibility.
It doesn’t hurt that he’s been able to learn from some of the best, either, with a veteran like Simon in the starting role to serve as a mentor.
Reese is learning quickly, gaining steam seemingly as quickly as he can move on the field, and his hard work led to him being named Defensive Player of the Game after Ohio State’s first scrimmage during preseason camp.
His coaches, too, are taking notice, with head coach Jim Knowles telling the Big Ten Network that Reese is “a guy that’s going to flash” and linebackers coach James Laurinaitis has said “athletically, he’s one of the most gifted guys that we have in the room.” Both of them are pleased with how Reese is progressing.
Reese won’t be the starter at Mike this year, with those honors of course going to Simon, a veteran and recently named captain. But Reese is battling with redshirt sophomore Gabe Powers for the backup gig, and regardless of who is named, we can expect to see him get some reps on defense this season.
These reps will tell us a lot about Reese’s future, and the future of the position group. So if you see a bright flash on the field this fall, keep your eye out—it just might be Arvell Reese giving us a glimpse into the future of the Buckeye defense.
Continue reading...
Jami Jurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images
The sophomore linebacker is poised for more reps on defense, and with them, a glimpse at his potential for greatness.
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Akron.
As the Buckeyes’ starting lineup and depth chart start to take their final shape in advance of next weekend’s Week One game against Akron, linebacker Arvell Reese is still out to prove himself to coaches and teammates—and they’re taking notice.
The six-foot-four, 238-pound sophomore—a former four-star linebacker prospect out of Cleveland—moved to defensive end during his first offseason before switching to linebacker at the tail end of last year’s fall camp.
As a freshman last season, Reece was a summer enrollee and had some injury troubles at camp that limited him to special teams play early in the season. He then played in a few games at special teams before another early-season injury against Youngstown State took him out for a few weeks. In total, Reese played eight games last season, all on special teams.
But last year’s Arvell Reese and this year’s Arvell Reese are two very different players.
Now, he’s healthy and entering his first full year at linebacker after his position shift, making him one of the younger and more inexperienced players in a position group that includes Cody Simon, Sonny Styles, and C.J. Hicks. He’s ready to rise to the occasion.
Physically, Reese is extremely versatile, with explosive speed, the power to hit hard, and the quick intelligence to find gaps and shut down opponents’ run games. He has the potential to play multiple roles on defense, though he’s currently training as the Mike linebacker. His biggest learning curve in the spot has come in learning the playbook and finding the confidence he’ll need for the leadership the Mike position requires of him.
For Reese, though, the move felt natural enough that he’s been able to find that comfort. He said he’s had an easier time learning the plays, which in turn has helped him find his voice. This vocality will be critical for him as he looks to play a bigger role in Ohio State’s defensive schema, in a position that bears a lot of responsibility.
It doesn’t hurt that he’s been able to learn from some of the best, either, with a veteran like Simon in the starting role to serve as a mentor.
Reese is learning quickly, gaining steam seemingly as quickly as he can move on the field, and his hard work led to him being named Defensive Player of the Game after Ohio State’s first scrimmage during preseason camp.
His coaches, too, are taking notice, with head coach Jim Knowles telling the Big Ten Network that Reese is “a guy that’s going to flash” and linebackers coach James Laurinaitis has said “athletically, he’s one of the most gifted guys that we have in the room.” Both of them are pleased with how Reese is progressing.
Reese won’t be the starter at Mike this year, with those honors of course going to Simon, a veteran and recently named captain. But Reese is battling with redshirt sophomore Gabe Powers for the backup gig, and regardless of who is named, we can expect to see him get some reps on defense this season.
These reps will tell us a lot about Reese’s future, and the future of the position group. So if you see a bright flash on the field this fall, keep your eye out—it just might be Arvell Reese giving us a glimpse into the future of the Buckeye defense.
Continue reading...