Sonny Styles just elevated his 2026 NFL Draft stock in a major way.

After finishing the 2025 season with 82 tackles and 6.5 TFLs as a key piece of Ohio State’s dominant defense, the Buckeyes linebacker followed it up with one of the most impressive combine performances ever by a linebacker.

At 6’5”, 244 pounds, Styles ran a 4.46 40-yard dash, posted a 43.5-inch vertical (highest ever recorded by a linebacker), and jumped 134 inches in the broad (99th percentile). The explosiveness matches the film — elite first-step burst, violent hands at the point of attack, physical run defense, and rare speed-to-power ability.

In this breakdown, we cover:

• Why his vertical and broad jump matter for linebackers
• His elite explosiveness and block shedding
• Physical presence vs the run
• Instincts and processing speed
• Areas for development as a pass rusher
• Final early first-round draft grade

Is Sonny Styles the best defensive player in the draft? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

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