Ohio State LB Sonny Styles Shines at NFL Combine

Linebacker's impressive workout could vault him into top 10 of 2026 NFL Draft

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles turned heads at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, putting up eye-popping numbers that have scouts projecting him as a potential top-10 pick in the upcoming draft. The 6-foot-5, 244-pound Styles, who converted from safety to linebacker during his college career, led all linebackers in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump and broad jump, cementing his status as one of the most athletically gifted prospects in this year's class.

Why it matters

Styles' combine performance has generated significant buzz, with some analysts comparing his athletic measurables to those of elite NFL players at other positions. His versatility and rare physical tools could make him a highly coveted prospect for teams looking to add a game-changing defender to their roster.

The details

Styles racked up 244 total tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss and 9 sacks during his 4-year career at Ohio State, helping the Buckeyes win a national championship in 2024. His combine numbers were historic, including a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, 43.5-inch vertical jump and 11'2" broad jump - all tops among linebackers. Styles' Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 10.00 out of 10 puts him in elite company, with analysts noting his measurables compare favorably to NFL stars like DK Metcalf and Nick Emmanwori.

  • Styles entered the 2026 NFL Combine expected to be a first-round pick.
  • His standout performance on the first day of on-field workouts on February 27, 2026 has vaulted him into top-10 draft consideration.

The players

Sonny Styles

A 6-foot-5, 244-pound linebacker who spent the last four seasons at Ohio State, helping the Buckeyes win a national title in 2024. Styles was the No. 1 safety prospect coming out of high school in Pickerington, Ohio before converting to linebacker.

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What they’re saying

“The fact that Sonny Styles — a linebacker* — compares athletically to DK Metcalf and Nick Emmanwori is just absurd.”

— Mike Kennedy (Twitter)

“Sonny Styles was built in a lab”

— Bengal (Twitter)

What’s next

Most analysts now project Sonny Styles to be selected within the top 10 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft, with a chance to potentially go as high as the top 5. His draft range will continue to be a major storyline leading up to the event.

The takeaway

Sonny Styles' historic combine performance has cemented his status as one of the most athletically gifted defensive prospects in recent memory. His rare blend of size, speed and explosiveness could make him a highly coveted target for NFL teams in need of a game-changing linebacker.