Ohio State Linebacker Sonny Styles Provides Some Support

I studied all 16 games in which Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles played during the 2024 season, and it took me 15 games to find a play that impressed me.

Disappointing?

Yeah

Pro Football Network, CBS, SI, SB Nation, Fox Sports, Draftwire, Sporting News, The Athletic, and ESPN all have had Styles mocked in the first round since August 20 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

I was expecting more.

Honestly, it was tough sitting through 16 games of this.

Styles is one of the more challenging evaluations because he can run, and he has short-area acceleration. Those two traits are music to NFL teams’ ears when it comes to outside linebackers.

But there’s more to this one…

Styles is the type of prospect that can cause teams to miss on if they aren’t careful.

Will he play in the NFL?

Yes.

The question is value.

Traits must translate and show up consistently on film, and with Styles, they don’t.

What’s the problem?

• Sputtering motor

When I was with the Jets, our head coach was Bill Parcells for my first two seasons, and he told me one day, “If there’s one thing you do here, learn the critical factors of scouting.”

One of those was ⎯

Is football important to him?

What’s the answer to that question with Styles?

No.

That’s not something I’m making up. It’s what his 2024 game film says. I just wrote it down.

To me ⎯

WANT is the most important trait in scouting. It’s the line in the sand between those who make it and those who don’t.

I witnessed Styles taking it easy on blitzes and backside pursuit one too many times.

Taking on blocks is another issue

There’s more ⎯

Styles was toast against blockers most of the time.

On blitzes…

On running plays…

Didn’t matter.

The combination of poor technique and a lack of fight often did him in.

Styles need to be kept clean to make noise as a tackler or blitzer (6 sacks).

One time, I saw him use his speed to beat a right tackle through the back door of the pocket.

What things does he excel at?

• Pass coverage
• Protecting the perimeter of the field

Styles didn’t log any interceptions in 2024, but he was credited with five passes defended. He understands coverage concepts, and he can keep up with backs and tight ends, and he’s somewhat reliable making tackles after catches.

Having the ability to get out to the sideline to force out receivers and ball carriers was my favorite thing about him. It helps the defense minimize big plays. He’s good at force-outs. He’s like a safety playing linebacker.

Ironically, coming out of high school, there was a question about which position Styles would end up at:

The question is, long term, will he grow into an outside linebacker even though he has the athletic skills to play safety, or will be some kind of hybrid?

– 247Sports

Low ceiling developmental grade

That’s where I’m leaving this one for now.

Styles has the desirable size and speed, but in addition to the issues mentioned earlier, he has average instincts and average tackling ability.

That’s a tough ask.

#6 Sonny Styles 6-foot-4, 243 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2025 Fall Grade: Fourth-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a First-Round prospect as of September 28, 2025

2024 game film evaluated: Akron, Western Michigan, Marshall, Michigan State, Iowa, Oregon, Nebraska, Penn State, Purdue, Northwestern, Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

PFF: Targeted 59 times in pass coverage in 2024 and gave up 43 receptions (72.9% catch rate)

Note: Dad Lorenzo Styles played linebacker in the NFL for six seasons (Falcons and Rams)

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Inconsistent run and hit linebacker. Not a playmaker. Can take bad angles. Against the run doesn’t always use his hands to attempt to shed blocks. Instead, sometimes just hits at the point of attack with his body. Consistently loses leverage in pass coverage. Next to no pass rushing toolbox. Showed one spin move.

What to watch for during the 2025 college football season

1. Motor?

2. Shedding run blocks?

3. How does he look blitzing?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. Featured in USA Today. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.