The Ohio State football program has two stellar linebackers in the 2026 NFL Draft. Both Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles project to be first-round picks. Reese seems to have the higher draft ceiling, but that might not be true after what Styles did at the NFL Combine.
Both players are almost surely going to be drafted in the top 10. Fernando Mendoza is essentially a lock to be drafted number one overall by the Raiders. After that, no one really knows. The Jets, Cardinals, Titans, and New York Giants round out the rest of the top five.
The Giants are a team that could be in a position to draft a linebacker when their draft slot rolls around. That was the case before Tuesday's deadline came and went, to tag a player before they became a free agent. New York decided to release one of their starting linebackers, which could mean a Buckeye is headed for New York.
Bobby Okereke release could signal Ohio State linebacker to New York
New York has decided that it will be releasing linebacker and defensive captain Bobby Okereke. Okereke had 143 tackles a year ago as the starting linebacker. With that happening, it sure seems like the Giants are in the market for a new linebacker.
That means that they could take Reese if he falls to five, which is not a guarantee. Reese would fit well in John Harbaugh's system as he looks to overhaul the roster. If Reese is already taken, there is a chance that New York decides to bring in Styles as their linebacker of choice.
Styles is good enough to certainly warrant being drafted that high. He's an athletic freak. Both he and Reese would fit well in New York's defensive system as they continue their rebuild. The Ohio State Buckeyes are going to miss both linebackers next season.
The Buckeyes still have some really good linebackers on the roster, but replacing both of these guys will be tough.