Sonny Styles

Draft Projection

Measurements

Athletic Testing

College Statistics

Scouting Report

Former safety turned linebacker standing 6'5", 244 lbs who recorded 100 tackles, 11 TFLs, 6 sacks and 5 PDs in 2024 earning second-team All-Big Ten honors. Posted a 4.46 forty at the Combine and is described as an explosive athlete with elite traits and three-down impact. A top-10 pick in nearly all mock drafts after the Combine; coverage remains a developmental area.

Player Comparison

Strengths

• Super athletic - Made Bruce Feldman's Freak's List. He Wrote:
• " At 6-4 1/2, 243 pounds, he broad jumped 11-0, vertical jumped 40 inches and squatted 675 pounds. His body fat is 10 percent. If not for Jeremiah Smith, Styles would be the Buckeyes’ biggest Freak.
• Devastates run fits with violent hands and natural leverage, consistently winning one-on-one battles against pulling guards and lead blockers
• Closes on ball carriers with frightening speed for his size, regularly running down plays from backside pursuit angles
• Football instincts shine through elite play recognition and pre-snap diagnosis, often triggering before the snap to blow up screens
• Versatility allows him to seamlessly transition between linebacker, safety, and even slot coverage depending on offensive personnel groupings
• Brings legitimate pass rush ability from multiple alignments, showing natural hand usage and the flexibility to bend around the edge
• Thrives in zone coverage with exceptional range and ball skills, using his wingspan to disrupt throwing lanes consistently
• Special teams demon who arrives at full speed and has the frame to handle multiple roles in kicking game coverage

Areas to Improve

• Man coverage against quick-twitch slot receivers exposes some stiffness in his hips and reveals limitations in tight-space movement
• Tackling technique occasionally breaks down in space, leading to arm tackles and missed opportunities against elusive backs
• Rush technique needs refinement as he tends to play too upright when attacking interior gaps, making him vulnerable to cut blocks
• Can be overly aggressive at times, biting on play-action fakes and vacating his responsibility in run fits
• Limited experience at linebacker position means he's still learning nuances of gap integrity and communication responsibilities