What to know about Sonny Styles after a standout Combine performance

At the NFL Scouting Combine, sonny styles turned heads with a historic workout that reinforced his draft standing. Teams and analysts now weigh his measurements, on-field production and family pedigree as the April draft draws near.

Sonny Styles' Combine Results

Sonny Styles posted a 43. 5-inch vertical and an 11-foot, 2-inch broad jump at the Combine. His vertical was 1. 5 inches shy of the all-time Combine record, and he became the only person over 240 pounds to clear 43 feet since 2003. The broad jump ranked fourth among linebackers at the Combine since 1999. Styles ran a 4. 46-second 40-yard dash, a time tied for the best of the day with his former teammate Arvell Reese. His 92 estimated athletic score ranked first among all linebackers.

Size, speed and measurements

Styles measures 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds. That frame drew immediate comparisons to former Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson; he is also larger than Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf and Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori, and he jumped higher than both. The 4. 46 40-yard dash matched the time posted by Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, despite Styles being bigger. One broadcast overlaid Styles' 40-yard sprint with Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb and Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton; neither kept up with Styles' 4. 46-second time.

Family and high school background

Styles played basketball at Pickerington Central in Ohio, where his highlight reel featured rim-shaking dunks and blocks off the glass. He played on the same high school team as Buckeyes basketball player Devin Royal. Sonny Styles is the son of former linebacker Lorenzo Styles Sr., who played for the Buckeyes from 1992 to 1994 before a six-year NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons and St. Louis Rams and a Super Bowl XXXIV victory with the Rams. His older brother, Lorenzo Styles Jr., transferred from Notre Dame and played alongside Sonny at Ohio State; Styles Jr. posted a 4. 28 on his 40-yard dash and was a former kick returner.

College production and draft projection

Styles followed an 83-tackle season with his Combine workout. He is a 21-year-old former safety who reclassified in high school and is one of the youngest players in the NFL Draft. He is projected to be selected No. 12 by the Cowboys in a recent mock draft. With the NFL Draft 56 days away, evaluators are balancing his physical traits with the production that produced those 83 tackles.

Reactions, comparisons and the "frame mogged" moment

Kyle Hamilton reacted to a side-by-side broadcast comparison of his Combine results with Styles, joking that the simulcam was a low blow and calling Styles "1 of 1. " The term "frame mogged" has been used to describe when someone with a larger or more dominant physical build makes another athlete look smaller or less athletic by comparison. The broadcast overlay that showed Styles alongside CeeDee Lamb and Kyle Hamilton amplified that reaction: Hamilton and Lamb did not match Styles' 4. 46 time in the visual comparison.

Team context and related Combine notes

Ohio State's defensive depth simplified defensive coordinator Matt Patricia's first college coaching assignment in 22 years. Arvell Reese is expected to be among the first names taken off the board; he went fourth in the same mock draft that placed Styles at No. 12. Safety Caleb Downs will work out on Friday and is expected to draw attention and be among the first defensive players taken in the draft, with a No. 5 projection in that mock. OSU cornerback Davison Igbinosun is also scheduled to work out at the Combine on Friday.

Ravens perspective and broader draft notes

Reaction from the Baltimore organization highlighted the Combine as well. Sonny Styles and Caleb Banks drew notice for their physical traits. The 2026 draft class includes talented edge players the Ravens view as resources to strengthen their pass rush. General Manager Eric DeCosta said he views defensive tackle as "one of the most important positions in football. " New Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said he believes the league is driven by the offensive and defensive lines and wants to beef up in the trenches. The team has drafted two tight ends in the same class four times in franchise history. Additional roster notes include that the Ravens are not ruling out an Isaiah Likely return, that Baltimore likes the pass rusher draft class, that Eric DeCosta wants to retain center Tyler Linderbaum before the start of the new league year, and that DeCosta is confident he can reach an extension with Lamar Jackson.

Sonny Styles' Combine day reinforced his standing as a likely top-15 pick and left a clear set of measurements, comparisons and reactions for teams to weigh as the draft approaches.