Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles (0) pressures Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) during the Big Ten Conference championship game. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Ohio State Buckeyes lose another elite defender to 2026 NFL Draft

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Jan 14, 2026 10:02 PM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes are accustomed to losing star players to the NFL.

That's just part of recruiting and developing elite talent. They make huge plays for your program and win you big games, and ultimately, they go on to bigger and better things.

The Buckeyes have certainly had to stomach some huge losses to the 2026 NFL Draft this offseason, though, and quite a few of them have been on the defensive side of the football.

The latest Buckeye defender to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft is linebacker Sonny Styles, who was a three-year starter for Ryan Day and the Bucks.

"It has been a dream of mine to play in the scarlet and gray since I was a kid," Styles wrote on social media. "I never took for granted the opportunity to put on that jersey every Saturday, and I will cherish the memories in the shoe and every moment we shared forever."

"I'm excited to take this next step and represent my Lord, my family and the Ohio State University as I officially declare for the 2026 NFL draft."

#OhioState LB Sonny Styles says his final farewell to the Buckeyes before entering the 2026 NFL Draft. One of the top defenders in this years draft. pic.twitter.com/CWwDd7MCVm
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) January 14, 2026

Ohio State's Sonny Styles to be a top prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft

Styles checks in at 6-foot-4, 243 pounds and he's everything NFL defenses are looking for in a modern-day linebacker.

He's a great athlete, good in open spaces but also tough enough to bang around down at the line of scrimmage.

Styles notched 77 tackles, seven tackles for loss, one interception, one sack and one forced fumble in 14 games for the Buckeyes this past season.

He joins a long list of Buckeyes who have declared for this draft. That's a group headlined by safety Caleb Downs and wide receiver Carnell Tate, but it also includes linebacker Arvell Reese and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald.

According to Mel Kiper's latest Big Board, Styles is the No. 7 overall prospect in this draft class.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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