The 2026 NFL Draft has been full of surprises, but perhaps none more eyebrow-raising than the academic story of New York Giants rookie linebacker Arvell Reese. The former Ohio State standout, selected in the later rounds, has been fielding questions not just about his on-field versatility, but about a high school GPA that once sat at a shocking 0.4.
Reese, who earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2023 and 2024, recently revealed to CBS Sports that his high school transcript told a very different story. At Glenville High School in Cleveland, he barely cracked a book, finishing with a GPA that would have made college admission impossible. But after enrolling at Ohio State, he flipped the script, graduating with a stellar 3.7 GPA.
“I think the secret is just time and effort,” Reese told CBS Sports. “In high school, it was a time where I didn’t even try in school or didn’t really think school was important. So, it just took for me to just lock in with it and take it serious.”
Not everyone is buying the fairy tale. WFAN’s Craig Carton voiced skepticism on air, questioning how such a dramatic turnaround is possible. “How does a kid who had a 0.4 GPA through high school leave Ohio State with a 3.7 GPA? I’d like to figure that out,” Carton said.
If Carton had listened more closely to Reese’s pre-draft interviews, he’d have heard the key detail: a credit recovery program at Glenville. Reese explained that after his junior year, with no college offers and an ineligible GPA, he reconnected with his former coach Ted Ginn, who helped him get back on track. “As soon as I got back with Ted Ginn, he immediately took me in and he told me I could be someone,” Reese added.
This isn’t the only academic story making waves during the draft. As we've seen with Carson Beck's high school GPA leak, scrutiny of prospects' classroom performance is intensifying. But Reese’s case is unique—a genuine rags-to-riches tale that has some analysts questioning the system itself.
On the field, the Giants have big plans for their rookie. Coach John Harbaugh described Reese as a versatile piece in a “position-less” defense. “Arvell is a versatile player. We’re gonna play him at inside backer, WILL backer. Our defense is flexible, position-less. He’ll have an opportunity to move around, but he’ll line up next to Tremaine [Edmunds],” Harbaugh said.
Reese’s 2025 season stats back up that versatility: 69 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and two pass breakups. He’s a Swiss Army knife who could thrive in New York’s scheme, especially alongside established stars like Tremaine Edmunds.
As the Giants look to build a contender, Reese represents a low-risk, high-reward addition. Whether his academic journey is a miracle or a cautionary tale, one thing is clear: he’s already beaten the odds. For more on draft steals, check out Mel Kiper's top hidden talents still on the board.
New York fans are eager to see if Reese can translate his classroom comeback into on-field success. If his work ethic is any indication, the answer might be a resounding yes.
