Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles (LB25) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Washington Commanders: Host Freak Athlete for 30 Visit

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics
By Jackson Loschko | Last updated Apr 4, 2026 5:34 PM ET

The Washington Commanders could still add to the off-ball linebacker position despite bringing in a solid replacement for Bobby Wagner . The issue is that both Leo Chenal, whom they signed to a three-year, $24.75 million contract in March, and Frankie Luvu, who is entering a contract year, have limitations in coverage. To offset that, the Commanders could select a linebacker capable of dropping into coverage, allowing Luvu to do what he does best: blitz.

Washington Commanders host freak athlete for 30 visit

According to Ian Rapoport, the Commanders will host Ohio State standout Sonny Styles for a 30-visit. He is freakishly athletic, running an impressive 4.46 40-yard dash at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, recording a 43.5″ vertical jump, the highest by an inside linebacker since 2003, an 11’2″ broad jump, fourth-highest at the position all-time, and a perfect 10 Relative Athletic Score. Styles can become an every-down defender in the NFL.

Ohio State LB Sonny Styles, a likely Top 10 pick, has already had Top 30 visits with the #Cowboys and #Jets, source said. He has the #Commanders coming up, as well as the #Bengals (technically a local visit). pic.twitter.com/Tcjkq2PHNa

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 4, 2026

Here’s a quick review of his past two seasons

Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles (0) reacts in the in the second quarter against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Sonny Styles converted to linebacker in 2024 after spending the first two years at safety. He had a solid first year at the new position, recording 100 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, six sacks, five pass breakups, and one forced fumble across 16 games, earning Second-Team All-Big 10 honors. Styles also posted an 18.4% missed tackle rate, 19 pressures, 22 run stops, and allowed a 95.7 passer rating.

Sonny Styles enjoyed a strong senior campaign, posting fewer missed tackles and improving in coverage and against the run. He totaled 82 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, one sack, one interception, three pass deflections, and one forced fumble across 14 games, earning Second-Team All-American and First-Team All-Big 10 honors. Styles also posted a 2.2% missed tackle rate, 15 pressures, 32 run stops, and allowed an 86.6 passer rating.

Here’s Lance Zierlein’s scouting report

“Styles began his Ohio State career as a safety, but he settled in at linebacker in 2024. He’s improved in diagnosing play development. The former Buckeye diffuses block attempts with crisp hand strikes and leverages run fits with force/anchor strength.

“There are times when he slips back into a containment-based approach, but he has plenty of short-area quickness and pursuit speed to get where he needs to go. He can make an impact from multiple spots on the field and is a plus man-cover talent. Styles is an emerging player with the traits and versatility to garner longer looks by NFL evaluators. He could see his stock soar leading up to draft day.”

He projects that he will become a good starter within the first two years.

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

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