Sonny Styles wows with 43.5-inch vertical at NFL Scouting Combine

Ohio State linebacker sonny styles boosted his draft stock in Indianapolis with eye-popping testing that grabbed attention this week. The former safety turned inside linebacker measured 6-foot-5, 244 pounds and produced a 43. 5-inch vertical, an 11-foot-2 broad jump and a 4. 46-second 40-yard dash.

Sonny Styles' measurements and what he posted in Indianapolis

Styles measured in at 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds and showed position versatility after starting his career as a safety before moving to linebacker. He recorded a 43. 5-inch vertical that was the best for a linebacker at the Combine in nearly two decades, added an 11-foot-2 broad jump (the fourth-best all-time among linebackers) and ran a 4. 46-second 40-yard dash, all during on-field testing this week in Indianapolis.

How the broadcast comparison landed with Kyle Hamilton and the simulcam moment

Kyle Hamilton felt the same surprise many fans did on Thursday when a broadcast compared Hamilton and Sonny Styles side by side. The overlay compared the two players' combine results and was not flattering for the Ravens safety; the two are built very similarly, but Styles posted the better vertical and 40-yard dash time despite being an inside linebacker and 24 pounds heavier. Hamilton jokingly objected to the comparison, calling Styles "1 of 1, " and posted the line "Sonny is 1 of 1 tho!" The simulcam overlay also included Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb against Styles' 40-yard sprint, and neither kept up with Styles' 4. 46-second time. The moment was described in the coverage as a low blow and sparked conversation about being "frame mogged, " a slang term for when someone with a larger or more dominant physical build makes someone else look smaller or less athletic by comparison.

Draft buzz: where the Combine leaves Styles and other prospects

A likely top-15 pick, Styles was one of the top performers during Thursday's Combine testing and helped his draft stock immensely with those physical traits. Sonny Styles and Caleb Banks have both made headlines for impressive physical traits at the event. The 11-foot-2 broad jump led all prospects and ranked fourth-best historically among linebackers, reinforcing why teams are taking notice of his upside as a versatile chess piece on defense.

Ravens' roster notes and front-office priorities

The Ravens have several roster and draft priorities highlighted in coverage from the week. The franchise has drafted two tight ends in the same class four times in its history. Team decision-makers view the upcoming draft in specific ways: General Manager Eric DeCosta said he views defensive tackle as 'one of the most important positions in football. ' New head coach Jesse Minter believes the league is driven by offensive and defensive lines, and the club is focused on beefing up in the trenches. The organization is also weighing personnel questions such as an Isaiah Likely return, and it likes a 2026 draft class that features talented edge players as a resource to strengthen the pass rush. DeCosta expressed roster priorities beyond the draft, saying he wants to retain center Tyler Linderbaum before the start of the new league year and that he is confident he can reach an extension with Lamar Jackson.

USC connection: Makai Lemon and Amon-Ra St. Brown comparisons

USC wide receiver Makai Lemon drew comparisons to former USC and current Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown for similar body types and play style. Lemon said Friday that St. Brown is his favorite receiver in the NFL right now, and he spoke about what St. Brown does to impact the game without the football as something he respects and tries to emulate. The commentary noted that NFL teams will probably love hearing that from a prospect.

Linebacker photo roundup from the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis

Photographers captured dozens of linebackers during testing on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Indianapolis. Captions and actions from the day included: Oklahoma linebacker Kendal Daniels runs a drill ( Photo/Julio Cortez); TCU linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr runs the 40-yard dash ( Photo/Michael Conroy); Arizona State linebacker Keyshaun Elliott participates in the Broad Jump (Gregory Payan/ Content Services for NFL); Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher runs a drill ( Photo/Julio Cortez); Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday participates in the Broad Jump (Gregory Payan/ Content Services for NFL); Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke runs the 40-yard dash ( Photo/Michael Conroy); Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. runs the 40-yard dash ( Photo/Michael Conroy); Alabama linebacker Justin Jefferson participates in the Broad Jump (Gregory Payan/ Content Services for NFL); BYU linebacker Jack Kelly runs a drill ( Photo/Julio Cortez); Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson runs a drill ( Photo/Julio Cortez); Pittsburgh linebacker Kyle Louis runs a drill ( Photo/Julio Cortez); TCU linebacker Namdi Obiazor runs the 40-yard dash ( Photo/Julio Cortez); Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez runs a drill ( Photo/Julio Cortez); Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder participates in the Broad Jump (Gregory Payan/ Content Services for NFL); and Iowa linebacker Karson Sharar runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting