The 2026 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Sonny Styles NFL Draft Profile.
Position: Linebacker
School: Ohio State
Size: 6-foot-5, 243 pounds
Class: Senior
2025 stats: 82 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 3 passes defended, 1 forced fumble
Styles was a five-star recruit in the class of 2022 who decided to stay in Ohio to play for the Buckeyes. He started his career as a safety and didn’t play much in his first season, registering just nine tackles. In 2023, Styles had 53 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks as a safety for the Buckeyes. Styles moved to linebacker for the 2024 season, producing 100 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. His play aided Ohio State in winning a national championship. For the 2025 season, he helped the Buckeyes return to the CFP with 82 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and one sack.
Following the 2025 season, Styles is headed to the 2026 NFL Draft. He is projected to be a top 15 pick.
Even though he is a former safety, Styles has great size for the linebacker position. He stands at 6-foot-5 and 243 pounds, making him one of the bigger players at the position in the class. He has long arms as well, which helps him stack and shed. With his size comes great strength. He has a filled-out frame and is ready for the next level in that regard.
His athleticism is great for the position, as his skills as a former safety shine. He has good acceleration and speed, which gives him great range, both when tracking down ball carriers and in coverage. Styles has grown into his body well and has solid control of it. He has good agility, although his hips are tight. Styles’s athleticism stands out.
Styles was a sure tackler during his college career. He showed the ability to stack and shed blocks. Styles then used his athleticism in pursuit to find ball carriers. He can run them down and then make a sure tackle with a lot of his long-arms helping him wrap up. Styles puts himself in position to make tackles and doesn’t miss many.
Styles can be more aggressive and sure of his reads to play more downhill. He is determined to take on blocks and get after the football, but he at times unsure of himself, which slows him down. Continuing to read his keys well and trust his instincts will help him play even faster.
He has coverage potential and has shown solid work in man-to-man, but his zone coverage awareness can be improved. He can have trouble dropping into deeper zones and still keeping and eye on the quarterback. Styles can work on his eye balance in coverage to help make him more of a complete linebacker.
His blitzing won’t create a ton of pressure. While he did have some sacks in 2024, Styles didn’t in 2025. He can struggle to get after the quarterback when an offensive lineman gets their hands on him, he can struggle to get free and pressure the quarterback.
Projected Draft Range: Top 15 Pick
Draft Grade: First Round Pick
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