08/04/2025
PRESEASON TOP 32 / 2026 NFL Draft
Sonny Styles - LB/Ohio State
6’4/243
▪️Son of six-year NFL veteran Lorenzo Styles Jr.
▪️Came in at #10 on the annual Freak List. Will test out at or near the top of all-time linebackers.
▪️Former safety who made the move to linebacker full time just a season ago
▪️Won’t turn 21 years old until November (and he is a fourth-year player)
▪️Second on the team in tackles, third on the team in TFL, first on the team in pressure rate in 2024
After watching the ascent of Jihaad Campbell (who ironically went #31 overall last April), I could not get that name out of my head while watching Styles’ tape, notably down the stretch. His pure pass rush tape from the outside will get some thinking about a full-time move to the edge but his experience as a safety and ability to play multiple roles against the pass will give creative defensive coordinators countless options.
Styles still looks a step or two late post-snap and his footwork puts him in a lot of bad positions when defending the inside run. But considering how productive he was as a first-year linebacker for the National Champions, the rare tool set, and the league’s pass-game bias - it is easy to label Styles a potential first rounder. You can go years of evaluating talent and not come across a situation like this one. High risk / High reward prospect who will be a swing for the fence.
