The 2026 NFL Draft is still weeks away, but for a legion of New York Jets fans and observers, the script for one of the top picks has already been written. The collective voice of the NFL community is rising in a single, confident chorus: Ohio State's defensive standout Arvell Reese is wearing green and white this fall.
This widespread conviction exploded following a significant Thursday morning transaction. The Jets agreed to send Pro Bowl defensive end Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat, a deal set to finalize with the new league year. While the trade reshapes both defensive lines, fans immediately connected the dots, seeing it as a precursor to a major draft move.
The Social Media Verdict Is In
Within moments of the trade news breaking, social media platforms became a digital jury delivering a unanimous verdict. "And with the second overall pick in the draft The New York Jets Select Arvell Reese," declared one fan, capturing the prevailing sentiment. Another stated bluntly, "Arvell Reese is 95% a Jet." The consensus was overwhelming, with posts like "Arvell Reese, you are a New York Jet" and "Arvell Reese is a Jet is all I'm getting from this" flooding timelines, turning speculation into accepted fan prophecy.
This isn't just blind hope for a fanbase craving defensive firepower. The logic is sound. By moving a key edge rusher in Johnson, the Jets create both a need and an opportunity to inject elite talent into the heart of their linebacker corps. Selecting Reese, widely regarded as one of the draft's premier defensive prospects, with the No. 2 overall pick becomes a perfectly aligned strategic move.
A Prospect Built for the Big Stage
The object of this New York fixation is more than worthy of the hype. Arvell Reese arrives from Columbus as a decorated champion, having helped lead Ohio State to the 2024 national title. His final season with the Buckeyes was a masterclass in defensive disruption, earning him All-American and All-Big Ten honors. The stat sheet tells a story of relentless pursuit: 69 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and two pass break-ups across 14 games.
Currently showcasing his talents at the NFL Scouting Combine, the 20-year-old linebacker was directly asked about the swirling rumors linking him to the Jets. Reese's response was both humble and enthusiastic. "It would be amazing," he told reporters, including Nick Faria of Jets X-Factor. "Just getting a chance to be in the NFL would be amazing." While he stopped short of making any predictions, his openness to the possibility only added fuel to the fire.
For the Jets and head coach Aaron Glenn, integrating a player of Reese's caliber would be a transformative addition. His blend of sideline-to-sideline speed, instinctive play recognition, and proven ability to pressure the quarterback would instantly elevate a defense looking to make a statement in the AFC East. He represents not just a player, but a building block for a unit with championship aspirations.
Of course, the draft is famously unpredictable, and no selection is official until Commissioner Roger Goodell announces it from the stage. Other teams hold their own plans, and surprises are a draft-night tradition. However, the powerful combination of clear team need, perfect draft positioning, and now, a fanbase and media ecosystem that has already embraced the narrative, makes the path from Columbus to the Big Apple seem less like a possibility and more like an inevitability.
The trade with Tennessee was a move on the chessboard. The football world's reaction was a declaration of the next move. All that remains is for the New York Jets to make it official and turn the league's worst-kept secret into their newest defensive cornerstone.
