New York Giants first-round pick Arvell Reese received high praise from NFL great Thomas Davis in the weeks leading up to the 2026 NFL draft.
On the March 20 episode of 89 with Steve Smith, Davis compared Reese to Pro Football Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly.
"To me, he has the ability to be one of the elite of the elites in this game," Davis said. "I played alongside Luke Kuechly for a long time. He has those kinds of qualities."
Kuechly was one of the most accomplished linebackers of his generation. The Ohio native won the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2012 and was named an All-Pro in every season after his rookie year. He also won the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2013 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026.
Reese's versatility, athleticism, and explosiveness stood out during his time at Ohio State before he was drafted by the Giants in 2026. Being compared to one of the best players in NFL history before even making his professional debut places significant expectations on the young linebacker.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Thomas Davis: Giants' Arvell Reese can become 'the elite of the elites'
