Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles (0) celebrates a sack by defensive back Caleb Downs (2) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 22, 2025. Ohio State won 42-9.

Ohio State star surging up NFL Draft boards

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Mar 25, 2026 10:43 AM ET

Ohio State could have at least two players chosen during the upcoming NFL Draft.

At least one of the Buckeyes’ former defensive stars has seen his stock surge, following a stellar performance during the NFL Combine.

Sonny Styles’ NFL Draft stock surging

According to ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., Ohio State running back Sonny Styles has surged into the top-five players in this year’s class.

In Kiper’s latest big board rankings, Styles checks in as the No. 4 overall prospect.

“You can tell Styles is a former safety,” Kiper says of Styles. “He has outstanding 4.46 speed, and his burst allows him to spy the QB. His explosion popped at the combine, with a 43½-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot-2 broad jump. Styles is also a dependable tackler and closes in a flash. He really took the next step last season, even as he adapted to a new system under defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.”

At 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds, Styles’ range and athleticism pop off the tape and match his prodection, after posting 77 tackles which includes seven tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble, and one sack, last season.

Some team, likely one picking inside the top-10 picks in next month’s NFL Draft, is going to add a centerpiece of their defense in the first round.

Ohio State Buckeyes safety Sonny Styles (6) celebrates a hit on Texas Longhorns tight end Gunnar Helm (85) during the first half of the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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