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Arvell Reese became a Top 5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He was drafted 5th overall by the New York Giants on Thursday.
The Ohio State linebacker recently spoke on his journey to get to this point. An admission about his high school GPA created some controversy.
Reese’s grades dipped below a 1.0 at one time during his high school stay. How did he get into Ohio State? Where are the Buckeyes’ priorities?
Those questions are currently being asked on social media.
Who is Arvell Reese?
Reese was once a four-star recruit out of Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio. He opted to stay home despite holding offers from Alabama, Penn State, Michigan, Southern Cal, and more.
As a freshman with the Buckeyes, he appeared in six games without recording a stat. His role grew in 2024 when he helped the team win a national championship.
Reese racked up 43 tackles and a sack as a sophomore. He was a key piece of a defensive unit that ranked No. 1 nationally in points allowed.
Last year, he began gaining major interest as an NFL prospect. The linebacker tallied 69 takedowns alongside a career-high 6.5 sacks.
@cbssportscfb Beanie Wells and Brian Kelly break down what makes Ohio State’s Arvell Reese so special 🗣️ #cfb #collegefootball #nfldraft #ohiostatefootball
Now, he sits atop big boards. Most mock drafts project him to go between No. 2 and No. 5. Smoke is forming around a future with the Jets.
Reese was asked about commitments made to help him get here. One particular comment is receiving attention.
Reese’s GPA was ridiculously low.
The linebacker transferred high schools as a junior. He had a 1.0 GPA at the time. He says it fell as low as 0.4 at one point.
@cbssports Arvell Reese dedicated himself to the classroom 🔥 #arvellreese #ohiostate #nfldraft
Followers immediately began asking questions.
“How did he get a scholarship?”
Reese’s comment was meant to highlight academic improvement. He made a commitment in the classroom upon getting to Ohio State, leaving with a 3.7 as a junior.
It instead created debate surrounding his initial acceptance. It’s no secret that athletes receive preferential treatment in terms of admissions. In many cases, it’s warranted.
The program, particularly at Ohio State, rakes in boatloads of cash. It also provides visibility. Football players are often the face of the college, right or wrong.
That 0.4 is extremely low, though. It provided poor optics in terms of priorities. Do the Buckeyes value football success above schoolwork?
The facade of the student-athlete has never been more see-through. Money has created a further split. These are now paid professionals representing a university. That is not an argument.
With that being said, the link will never disappear so long as the athletic programs are directly tied to the school.
Given the requirements needed to be met by the average prospective student, the possibility of accepting an 0.4 GPA for the benefit of a sport doesn’t sit well with some.
Ohio State has been in this spotlight before. Cardale Jones famously said that he didn’t go to college to play school.
Why should we have to go to class if we came here to play FOOTBALL, we ain’t come to play SCHOOL classes are POINTLESS.”
Arvell Reese created another talking point by noting his high school GPA.
So, how did he get in?
Andscape interviewed Reese earlier this month. A story detailed his path from undedicated student to an all-academic team member.
Reese’s mindset changed ahead of his senior year. Ted Ginn Sr. played a major role. Ginn was the Glenville High School football coach. He explained the importance of academics in Reese’s future both on and off the field.
Ginn laid out the plan: classes during the day, classes at night, accountability at every step, and a clear connection between what Reese did in the classroom and what he wanted on the field.
“No one is coming on a white horse to save you,” Ginn told him. “You have to take responsibility for your life.”
His grades improved with a little effort, though his final GPA was not stated. He then attended Ohio State on scholarship.
Speculation as to his acceptance will persist, especially following that previous admission.
On one hand, he should be applauded for raising the number. It’s something to celebrate. One could argue that it highlights the Buckeyes’ dedication to academic success. They emphasized coursework, as did his high school coach.
On the other, he provided reason to question Ohio State’s top concern.