Ohio State star linebacker Arvell Reese is leaving school early and declaring for the NFL draft, he announced on social media Thursday.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Reese as the No. 4 overall prospect in the draft and his top off-ball linebacker.
“I want to thank all of Buckeye Nation,” Reese wrote in a statement posted to Instagram. “It was truly an honor to suit up in the scarlet and grey.”
Reese is the third projected top-10 pick from Ohio State to declare for the draft this week, joining wide receiver Carnell Tate and safety Caleb Downs.
Reese was one of college football’s breakout stars this season, tallying 69 tackles and 6.5 sacks for an Ohio State defense that ranked No. 1 nationally as it allowed just 9.3 points per game.
He was a consensus All-American, the Big Ten’s Linebacker of the Year and a finalist for the Butkus Award.
