As we all know, a rookie's success in the NFL can be measured by the jersey number they choose. It's a known fact that the more aura a certain number provides, the more likely it is said player will have a successful NFL career. And thankfully, New York Giants' rookie linebacker Arvell Reese couldn't have picked a better number to set himself up for a long and fruitful career.
After wearing No. 8 at Ohio State, Reese pivoted to 52 to begin his NFL career, which is great news for both him and John Harbaugh. Harbs has enjoyed enough success with off-ball linebackers wearing 52, so hopefully lightning will strike twice on that front even though he's no longer with the Ravens.
The list of elite players who have worn 52 is long, but perhaps the best one is another former Harbaugh linebacker in Ray Lewis. Then you have guys like Khalil Mack, Patrick Willis, and Clay Matthews, so from a jersey number standpoint, Reese has already found himself in elite company.
Arvell Reese's jersey number selection is showing shades of Ray Lewis
The Giants drafted the 20-year-old with the fifth pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in hopes of seeing him make an instant impact on their defense in more ways than one, and he's certainly setting himself up to do that. And Reese is starting to show shades of Lewis in more ways than just sharing that #52.
Lewis is one of the best linebackers in NFL history. He's a 13-time Pro Bowler, seven-time First Team All-Pro, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, two-time Super Bowl champion, and a Super Bowl MVP. And he led the league in tackles in three different seasons, and was a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
He was also the leader of some elite Ravens' defenses, and someone to set the tone is just what this Dennard Wilson-led Giants' defense needs. Big Blue has boasted some of the NFL's worst defenses in recent years, and a multifaceted player like Reese will help them rewrite the narrative.
A player who can stop the run, rush the passer, and step up in coverage is more than worth the fifth pick, and the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year wear all of the hats the G-Men ask him to. Cool jersey number or not, he's destined to be a star and I'm still wowed that he fell to the fifth pick in the draft.
Knowing they'll wear the same jersey number, if Reese can become even half of what Lewis was under Harbaugh's tutelage, his career will have been a smashing success.
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