A three-year starter, team captain and "Block O" jersey recipient, Sonny Styles will continue his football career at the next level.
On Wednesday, Styles declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, where he could be selected within the top 20 picks in April. Having exhausted his eligibility, Styles was not eligible to return to Ohio State in 2026. He is the last of five Buckeyes with first-round potential to officially declare, joining Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, Carnell Tate and Kayden McDonald.
— sonny (@sonnystyles_) January 14, 2026
Styles has been an Ohio State fan favorite since committing to the Buckeyes out of Pickerington Central High School in November 2021. The son of former Ohio State linebacker Lorenzo Styles Sr. and the brother of current Buckeye defensive back Lorenzo Styles Jr., Styles reclassified from the 2023 class to 2022 and still finished as a top-10 overall prospect in the cycle.
Styles carved out an immediate role in Ohio State’s defense as a freshman, tallying nine tackles and one tackle for loss across 67 snaps in eight appearances. He took on a larger role as a sophomore, starting at free safety and recording 53 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in 13 games.
Entering his junior season, Styles transitioned to linebacker — a move that proved to be a revelation for his football career. Playing alongside Cody Simon, Styles delivered a career-best campaign, finishing with 100 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks as the Buckeyes won their ninth national championship all-time.
Styles chose to return for his senior season in 2025 and saved his best for last. He totaled 82 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and one sack. While those numbers were not career highs at the time, one remarkable statistic underscored Styles’ impact: He was a perfect 80-for-80 on takedowns entering the College Football Playoff, not missing a single tackle in Ohio State’s first 13 games. He earned first-team All-American honors from the Sporting News.
With freakish athleticism at 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds, Styles projects as an intriguing NFL Draft prospect, offering the versatility to stop the run while covering running backs, tight ends and even the occasional wide receiver. His blend of size, range and tackling efficiency should translate seamlessly to today’s space-oriented NFL defenses.
