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Rivals · 2022 Class · LB · Sonny Styles
Ohio State
Ohio StateOhio State Buckeyes(2022-2025)
Sonny Styles

SonnyStyles

Pickerington, OHPickerington Central
Jersey
#6
Pos
LB
HT / WT
6-4 / 205
Class
SR
2026NFL Draft
Ohio State
FromOhio State
Washington
ToWashington
Round
1
Pick
7
Overall
7
Complete Draft
Rivals
6
NATL
#11
POS
#2
ST
#1
On3
99
NATL
#4
POS
#1
ST
#1
ESPN
90
NATL
#15
POS
#2
ST
#1
247
98
NATL
#27
POS
#2
ST
#3
The Journey
Class of 2022
Ohio State Buckeyes
ENROLLED
Pickerington Central Tigers
HIGH SCHOOL

Film

HIGHLIGHTS · ANALYSIS · COMMIT FILM
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Reminds Us Of

Anthony Barr
Anthony Barr
EDGE / 6-5 / 255
UCLAUCLA · HS Class of 2010
Minnesota2014 Draft · Rnd 1 · Pick 9

Like Anthony Barr, Sonny Styles is a unique jumbo athlete who ultimately projects as a versatile front seven defender. Barr was a 6-foot-4, 230-pound prolific high school running back with track speed. Styles is a 6-foot-4, 220-pound high school safety with strong combine results in addition to being an above-the-rim basketball player. Barr spent his first two years at UCLA as an offensive player before making the switch to defense. He was one of college football’s best defenders in his final two years as a Bruin, totaling 23.5 sacks and 41.5 tackles for loss before becoming a top ten pick. In addition to the physical and athletic resemblance, we see Styles having similar versatility with the ability to line up as a jumbo off-ball linebacker and pass rusher similar to Barr.

Team Predictions

Industry Consensus · RPM Picks
Team
Prediction
Recruited By
Distance
Class Rank
Draft Pos (5yr)
Draft Total (5yr)
Ohio State
ENROLLED
N/A
20 mi
4
0
43
Alabama
OFFERED
N/A
539 mi
2
0
51
Texas
OFFERED
N/A
1075 mi
5
0
15
Penn State
OFFERED
N/A
265 mi
7
0
24
Ohio State
Ohio StateENROLLED
Al Washington
N/A
Alabama
AlabamaOFFERED
Bill O'Brien
N/A
Texas
TexasOFFERED
N/A
Notre Dame
Notre DameOFFERED
Marcus Freeman
N/A
Penn State
Penn StateOFFERED
N/A

Visit Center

Official & Unofficial · 19 total
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Scouting Report

2 Reports
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Sonny Styles Scouting Summary
Charles Power
11/03/21

A unique defensive prospect with the size, athleticism and movement skills to potentially make plays at all three levels of a defense. Combines 6-foot-4, 220-pound size with top-flight athleticism. Posted combine numbers that are better than many top defensive backs and wide receivers – some of the best marks we saw during the spring camp circuit. Athleticism transfers over to the field where he makes “wow” plays at a high rate. Plays at safety for his high school and is a smooth, fluid mover in space. Has movement patterns that belie his size. Shows deep range at safety with the ability to play hash to boundary. Makes plays on the ball at its highest point. Possesses some vicious striking power as a hitter and physical presence. Closes quickly and flashes the top-end speed on interception returns. Has blocked several kicks as a junior. Size, athleticism and coordination are unique and give him the ability to impact games as a defensive back, linebacker or potential pass rusher. Has the upside of being a true moveable chess piece for a defensive coordinator. Can continue to clean up his tackling technique. Doubles as an above-the-rim basketball player with mid-major offers on the hardwood.

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Measurements & Testing

Sonny StylesPickerington Central
Top 300 LB AvgAvg. Last 3 Years
NFL Combine DraftedAvg. Last 3 Years
Weight
205
225
235
91.1%87.2%
Height
6-4
6-2
6-2
102.7%102.7%
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Photos

Gallery · 24 Images

Personal Life

Sonny Styles’ real name is Alex Styles. His father, Lorenzo Styles, gave Alex the nickname “Sonny” after the character Santino “Sonny” Corleone from the “Godfather” movies because of his fiery temperament when he was around 3 years old. It is a nickname that has stuck with him ever since. Lorenzo Styles was a linebacker at Ohio State from 1991-94. He spent six seasons in the NFL and has been a defensive assistant coach with Pickerington Central since 2012. His father won Super Bowl XXXIV with the St. Louis Rams. Style’s brother, Lorenzo Styles Jr., was a national-level recruit and is now a receiver at Notre Dame. Styles has another sibling, Tonia. Styles says he is very invested in his relationship with God.

Contacts