Introduction
Sonny Styles is one of college football’s most intriguing defensive talents. A blend of size, speed, and football intelligence, he has already cemented himself as a leader at Ohio State. But his story is deeply rooted in family legacy—his father and brother have both played at the highest levels, and Sonny is carving his own path toward the NFL.
Early Life and Background
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Full Name & Birth: Alex “Sonny” Styles was born on November 24, 2004, in Pickerington, Ohio.
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High School: He attended Pickerington Central High School, where he played both football and basketball.
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Recruitment: A five-star recruit, Sonny reclassified during his junior year and committed to Ohio State University, choosing the Buckeyes over several top programs including Notre Dame, Clemson, and Florida.
Family Legacy
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Father: His dad is Lorenzo Styles Sr., a former Ohio State linebacker (1992–1994) who went on to play six seasons in the NFL, winning Super Bowl XXXIV with the St. Louis Rams.
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Mother: His mother, Laverna Styles, is also an Ohio State graduate.
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Brother: Sonny’s older brother, Lorenzo Styles Jr., transferred from Notre Dame to Ohio State and plays as a cornerback for the Buckeyes.
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Siblings: According to Ohio State’s records, he also has two sisters, Sydney and Tonia Brown.
College Career & Stats
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Position Change: Sonny began his Ohio State career as a safety but transitioned to linebacker ahead of the 2024 season.
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2022 Season: In his freshman year, he played 12 games and recorded 9 tackles.
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2023 Season: He became a starter at safety, ending the year with 53 total tackles, 4.5 for loss, and 2 sacks.
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2024 Season: As a full-time linebacker, he started all 16 games and racked up 100 tackles, including 10.5 tackles for loss, and 6 sacks.
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Career Totals (through 2024): Across his college career (as per media guide): 162 total tackles, 15.0 TFL (tackles for loss), 8 sacks, 6 pass breakups, and 2 forced fumbles.
Physical Profile & 40-Yard Dash Time
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Height / Weight: Listed at 6 ft 4 in, 243 lbs.
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40-Yard Dash: Sonny’s 40-yard dash time has been reported as 4.48 seconds in 2023.
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Draft Scout Projection: According to NFL Draft Scout, his projected 40-yard dash range is between 4.32 and 4.46 seconds.
NFL Draft Outlook
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Class / Year: He’s listed as a senior, and draft profiles project him for the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Projection: Given his combination of size, speed, and experience, Sonny is seen as an OLB (outside linebacker) prospect with strong upside.
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Strengths: Scouts point to his coverage ability (thanks to his safety background), tackling, and leadership. His athleticism and versatility make him appealing.
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Accolades: He was named second-team All-Big Ten in 2024.
Age & Personal Characteristics
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Age: Born in November 2004, Sonny is still very young for his class, which gives him more runway to grow and develop before entering the NFL.
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Character & Leadership: He has been praised by coaches for his intentional leadership. In 2025, he was awarded the Block “O”, a prestigious Ohio State team honor.
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Off-Field: He is active in community service, working with at-risk youth groups.
Challenges & Areas to Improve
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While his athleticism is top-tier, scouts note he needs to further develop his pass-rush repertoire if he is to be a consistent threat as a linebacker.
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Adjustments in reading NFL-level offenses and shedding blocks consistently will be key to his pro-readiness.
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As he moves to full-time linebacker, sustaining his high production and staying healthy are likely areas of focus.
Conclusion
Sonny Styles represents the perfect blend of heritage and talent in college football. With a father who played in the NFL, a brother on his side in Columbus, and a rapidly growing body of work on the field, he is not just continuing a legacy — he’s building his own. As he approaches his senior year, all eyes will be on him to see how he performs before his likely run in the 2026 NFL Draft.
