Lorenzo Styles and brother Sonny turn heads at 2026 NFL Scouting Combine
lorenzo styles sprinted to an official 4. 27-second 40-yard dash on Friday at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, the fastest time by a combine safety since at least 2003, keeping the Styles family at the center of attention through two days of workouts.
Lorenzo Styles stuns with fastest 40 by a safety since 2003
On Friday in Indianapolis, Lorenzo Styles Jr. posted a 4. 27-second 40-yard dash and a 39-inch vertical jump; he opted not to perform the broad jump. Missouri cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. led the cornerback group with a 4. 32-second 40, while Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq set a separate combine mark as the fastest 40-yard dash by a tight end since at least 2003.
Sonny Styles' Thursday put him in the conversation for a top pick
One day earlier, Sonny Styles dominated his position group with a showcase performance in jumping, running and positional work. Sonny measured 6'5" and 244 pounds, posted a 43. 5-inch vertical — the best for a player at his position dating back to 2003 — ran a 4. 46-second 40-yard dash (the same time listed for Bijan Robinson) and produced a 135-inch broad jump, a mark compared to Julio Jones.
Linebackers and edge standouts pushed draft boards
Defensive prospects on Thursday also raised their profiles. David Bailey ran a 4. 50-second 40 with a 1. 62-second 10-yard split, a 35-inch vertical and a 10'9" broad jump; his 4. 50 was the fastest 40 by any defensive lineman on the first day. Arvell Reese, who played edge and off-ball linebacker for Ohio State, clocked a 4. 47-second 40 and is listed at 6'4", 241 pounds.
Explosive measurements and shuttle work drew attention
Jacob Rodriguez reached a top speed of 18. 43 miles per hour during the backpedal-and-react drill, the fastest by any linebacker over the last four years and surpassing times by Jack Kiser, Jihaad Campbell, Trevin Wallace and Carson Bruener. Rodriguez also led linebackers in the 20-yard shuttle and the 3-cone drill and entered the combine with collegiate honors that include the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Butkus Award and the Lombardi Award; he also had an FBS-leading seven forced fumbles in 2025, though his age and size have contributed to middle-round projections.
More linebackers making waves: Louis and Lawrence
Kyle Louis continued a strong stretch, ranking fifth among linebackers in the 40 at 4. 53 seconds, third in the 10-yard split at 1. 58 seconds, fourth in the vertical at 39. 50 inches and second in the broad jump at 10'9"; he posted 24 tackles for loss, six interceptions and 10 sacks over the past two seasons. Malachi Lawrence ran a 4. 52-second 40 (second only to David Bailey on that day), generated 60 pressures over the previous two seasons and showed the fluidity teams covet, creating buzz that could push him toward a second-round selection.
Family background, positional conversion and other notes
Lorenzo Styles Jr. converted to defensive back after two seasons as a wide receiver at Notre Dame in 2021 and 2022, when he caught 54 passes; over three seasons with Ohio State he did not record an interception but logged 46 tackles and seven passes defended. The Styles brothers come from NFL blood: their father, Lorenzo Styles Sr., played six NFL seasons and was part of the Rams' Super Bowl XXXIV-winning team. Through two days of the combine, the brothers have dominated attention on the Indianapolis workout floor.
Other measurements and what scouts noticed next
On Thursday, Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. had arms measured at 30 and 7/8 inches, and Bain said NFL clubs did not appear overly focused on that measurement. David Bailey's force in the bag drills strengthened his resume after his quickest 40 among defensive linemen, and several linebackers and edge players used the first on-field sessions to climb draft boards in Indianapolis.
Next on the combine schedule are additional positional drills and positional meetings; teams and prospects will return to Lucas Oil Stadium for more evaluations in the coming sessions.
