COLUMBUS, Ohio — In his six weeks as Ohio State football’s defensive coordinator, Matt Patricia has recorded six spring practices, two press conferences and two unprompted mentions of linebacker Arvell Reese.
When asked about that last stat, linebackers coach James Laurinaitis shuffled through a range of expressions.
He smiled. He shook his head. He paused for a second. He exhaled.
Finally, he answered.
“Arvell is so talented,” Laurinaitis said. “Like, so talented.”
Reese — a product of Glenville High School in Cleveland — is entering his junior season with the Buckeyes, and little uncertainty hovers around his expected step into the starting lineup.
While it was evident what he could become as a four-star prospect in the 2023 signing class, the potential is now coming to fruition as Ohio State moves forward without Cody Simon at the position.
“We’re realizing everything that Arvell Reese can do,” Laurinaitis said. “It’s a lot. It’s a lot. That’s a special talent. That’s a special talent. He has matured so much from two years ago.”
The key to his jump? Unmatched honesty.
Laurinaitis knows players who will try explaining a mistake in roundabout ways. That’s not the case with Reese.
