When a former NFL star like Ryan Shazier speaks highly of a rookie's landing spot, it's time to pay attention. The ex-Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker recently shared his thoughts on New York Giants rookie Arvell Reese, and the verdict is clear: Reese couldn't have asked for a better start to his professional journey.

In an exclusive conversation, Shazier broke down why Reese's situation with the Giants is so promising, and it all starts with the coaching staff. "John Harbaugh is a great defensive coach," Shazier said, referencing the Giants' defensive mastermind. "He's had some linebackers. He had Ray Lewis, Patrick Queen. He's had a lot of inside linebackers, but he also had Terrell Suggs, Matthew Judon—a lot of great players on the edge. He's going to know exactly where to put Arvell."

That's high praise from a player who knows a thing or two about linebacker excellence. Shazier, who was the last Ohio State linebacker to earn All-American honors before Reese and Sonny Styles in 2025, sees a bright future for the young Buckeye.

Reese entered the 2026 NFL draft viewing himself primarily as an outside linebacker and edge rusher, but Harbaugh has other plans—at least for now. The Giants intend to deploy Reese as an inside linebacker to start his career, a move that Shazier believes will pay dividends. "He has four great rushers, and I think he's going to move them around a lot. Harbaugh knows what he's doing, so I think Reese landed in a great situation with a great coach."

The confidence in Harbaugh's ability to develop Reese into a multi-positional weapon is well-founded. With Super Bowl-level coaching from day one, Reese has the perfect environment to grow, adapt, and eventually become the versatile linebacker the Giants need. For a rookie stepping into the NFL, that kind of foundation is invaluable.