Freakishly athletic Ohio State linebacker the Commanders drafted seventh overall in 2026.
Sonny Styles is a linebacker the Washington Commanders selected with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. A national champion at Ohio State, he turned in one of the best combine performances ever at his position. He signed a four-year rookie deal in May 2026 and projects as a centerpiece of Washington's defense.
Path to the league
Styles won the 2024 national title at Ohio State before declaring for the draft. His 2026 Combine workout was historic: per Wikipedia, he was the only player his size since 2003 to post a sub-4.5 40, a 40-plus-inch vertical and an 11-plus-foot broad jump, and his 43.5-inch vertical set a combine record for players over 240 pounds.
Career highlights
As a 2025 senior, Styles started all 16 games in his first full year at the position and led the team with 82 tackles, finishing with 100 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks, per Wikipedia. He and Giants pick Arvell Reese became the first pair of linebackers from one school drafted in the top 10.
2025 season
Styles anchored Ohio State's defense through a championship-caliber campaign before the Commanders took him at No. 7. He signed his four-year rookie contract, reported at $37.2 million, on May 8, 2026.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Sonny Styles
- ESPN: Sonny Styles player page
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- Ohio State
- Hometown
- Pickerington, OH, USA
- Age
- 21
- Status
- active
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