Ohio State LB Dominates NFL Combine
Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles put on a dominant performance at the 2026 NFL Combine, significantly boosting his draft stock. Styles recorded a 43.5-inch vertical jump and elite 40-yard dash times, making him one of the top athletic standouts of the event so far.
Sonny Styles' combine performance was historically significant; his 43.5-inch vertical leap is the best all-time for a linebacker at the event. He also posted an 11-foot-2-inch broad jump, the fourth-best all-time among linebackers, and his 4.46-second 40-yard dash was tied for the fastest among all participants on the first day of workouts. This athletic showcase cemented his move from a projected top-10 pick to a potential top-five selection in the upcoming NFL Draft. Styles is the first prospect since at least 2003 to run a sub-4.5-second 40, jump over 40 inches, and record a broad jump of over 11 feet while weighing more than 230 pounds. His nearly perfect 9.99 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) ranks 4th out of 3,216 linebackers graded since 1987. The performance is even more impressive considering his 6-foot-5, 244-pound frame. This unique combination of size and explosiveness comes from a player with positional versatility, having started his Ohio State career as a safety before transitioning to linebacker. During his four seasons at Ohio State, Styles accumulated 239 total tackles, 9.0 sacks, and an interception. His on-field production earned him first-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2025. He was also voted a team co-captain, underscoring his leadership role on a top-tier college program. Coming from a football family, his father, Lorenzo Styles Sr., also played in the NFL. Sonny Styles was a five-star recruit out of high school who also excelled in basketball, helping his high school team win a state championship in 2022.
