From Zero Offers to NFL Draft: Arvell Reese's Inspiring Journey

0:00On April 24th, Arvel Reese just got picked 5th overall by the New York Giants in the NFL draft, capping off an inspiring rise from the bottom. The Ohio State Limebacker had zero college offers coming out of high school because his GPA dipped below 1.0. But he gives all the credit to his mentor, Ted Gin Sr., head coach at Glenville High School in Cleveland for straight-up saving his career. Gin saw potential in Reese right away and didn't just coach football. I.E. focused on life skills. He got Reese into credit recovery classes, took him on college tours, and pushed him to get organized and accountable. That tough love turned things around fast, making Reese eligible for college and earning him academic honors. Reese's path wasn't easy from the jump. Growing up in Cleveland, his dad went to prison when he was only 5, shuffling him between family members. His mom were tired to hold it together, but a stroke during one of his games sideline her for months, hitting Reese's grades hard. From there, Reese kept grinding at Ohio State, shining on the field and in the classroom.

1:03The Titans grabbed his teammate, Carnell Tate, at 4th overall. But the Giants jumped in right after, locking him down. Reese had been on the radar since the combine, and Ohio State's pro day. He vibe hard with Giants coaches like Denard, Bush, and even Harball during dinners and visits, calling those talks some of the best he had. Now he's hyped to be that unique weapon on defense, ready to prove why Jen believed in him from day 1.