Sonny Styles
Washington CommandersOur College Grade
How good he was in college at what his position is supposed to do, out of 100. Scored against everyone else at his position, adjusted for the level he played at. This is not his NFL grade.
College Production
Ohio State · Big Ten
| Season | Tkl | TFL | Sacks | Hur | PD | INT | Pos Rk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 53 | 4 | 2.0 | 0 | 1 | 207 | |
| 2024 | 100 | 11 | 6.0 | 0 | 5 | 13 | |
| 2025 | 83 | 6 | 1.0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 108 |
The seasons in our college data. It does not always reach back to a player's first year.
Scouting Report
Ohio State · 2026 draft class
Sonny Styles is an impressive athlete with the necessary skills to be an excellent coverage linebacker in the NFL and a top-tier backer in the 2026 draft class. The 6'4", 235-pound defender entered Ohio State as a 5-star recruit at safety in the 2022 class. He didn't get much playing time as a true freshman but became an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection as a defensive back in year two with 53 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 sacks, and 1 PD. In 2024, he switched positions and burst onto the scene with 100 tackles, 11 TFL, 6 sacks, and 5 PD, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors during Ohio State's National Championship run. Styles is a very good athlete and smooth mover who can cover tight ends and running backs in man coverage or tighten throwing windows in zone. His impressive hand-eye coordination and vertical jump allow him to make plays on the ball that most linebackers won't.
Strengths
- Very good athlete with smooth movement for coverage
- Impressive hand-eye coordination and vertical jump for ball plays
- Good speed to carry receivers in Tampa 2 with sideline-to-sideline range
- Movement skills and fluid hips to cover tight ends and running backs
- Can defeat blocks with athleticism and shoulder dip move
- Takes on blocks with hands and good pad level
- Sure tackler who wraps up and brings ball carriers down
- Impressive speed to close on ball carriers
Concerns
- A little thin for height
- could add size and strength
- Doesn't have much pop behind pads when coming downhill
- Can get caught staring into backfield against run
- Gets caught in trash or beaten to spot occasionally
- Lacks upper body strength to stack and shed blocks
- Needs to develop move to escape blocks
- Bites hard against run fakes on play action
Honors
Second-team All-Big Ten (2024); Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (2023); 5-star recruit as safety (2022 class); Ranked LB2 and Overall #29; Key Contributor grade (7.8)