Pickerington native Sonny Styles is headed to the nation's capital as a top-ten pick. The 21-year-old Ohio State linebacker, who shifted from safety to linebacker in 2024, went seventh overall to the Washington Commanders on opening night of the 2026 NFL Draft, completing a rapid rise from local standout to first-round headliner.
Washington used the No. 7 pick on Styles after months of buzz and a string of eye-opening workouts that turned him into one of the most discussed defenders in this year's class, according to 10TV.
What He Did At Ohio State
Styles led the Buckeyes with 82 tackles in 2025 and added 6.5 tackles for loss, an interception, three pass breakups and four quarterback hurries, according to Ohio State Athletics. A fifth-year senior, he served as a team co-captain and earned first-team All-America honors after the season. He opened his Buckeye career at safety before moving to linebacker in 2024, a switch that NFL evaluators say showcased his full positional upside.
“I always dreamed of hearing my name called,” Styles said after his selection, noting that he sees himself as a versatile defender who can help a coordinator in coverage and as a blitzer. For fans in Pickerington who watched him grow from high school star to Ohio State leader, the draft moment landed like a community win.
Coaches' Take
Linebackers coach James Laurinaitis praised Styles' preparation and leadership, calling him “the ultimate pro” and saying he believes Styles is “the leader of the entire team,” per Ohio State Athletics. Laurinaitis and other staffers have routinely pointed to Styles' daily work habits as the foundation for his successful transition to linebacker.
Why Washington Drafted Him
Scouts and draft analysts highlighted Styles' combination of length, speed, and coverage instincts, traits that let him track tight ends in space and run sideline to sideline. His performance at the scouting combine pushed him even higher on draft boards, and draft profiles from Sporting News charted how his testing numbers and tape turned him into a virtual top-ten lock.
Local Roots And Family Legacy
Styles graduated from Pickerington Central High School and reclassified early to join Ohio State, a fast-track path that draft guides often cited when outlining his background. His first-round selection adds another chapter to a family football lineage. His father, Lorenzo Styles, was a third-round pick in 1995 and played six NFL seasons, according to Pro-Football-Reference.
Next up for Styles is the rookie grind: orientation, minicamp, and offseason work with Washington, where he will start absorbing the playbook and adapting to the pro game. The Commanders, who invested a high first-round pick in him, will get their first extended look at how his versatility fits into Dan Quinn's defense as spring rolls into summer.
