Ohio State's linebacker Sonny Styles received major praise from ESPN's Louis Riddick after an incredible combine showing.
Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles put on a clinic at the 2026 NFL Combine. He testing was off the charts, but that wasn't much of a surprise to anyone.
Styles showed all year that he is an incredible athlete within the white lines with the shoulder pads and helmet on, so seeing him tear up the Combine was hardly a surprise.
He ranked out as the perfect linebacker prospect and received scores that were similar to names like Luke Kuechly, Ryan Shazier, and AJ Hawk. Pretty good company.
A lot of players test really well, but sometimes it doesn't transfer to on-field production, but that is hardly a concern with Styles. ESPN's Louis Riddick, who is a former player turned broadcaster with aspirations of being a general manager in the future, had this to say about Styles:
"You knew he was going to rip up the combine...His skills on the football field we can all see that," Riddick stated. "It's what he brings to the table from a personal and character standpoint. This guy is as clean as it comes. He is a force multiplier in every sense of the word."
This is the first time that we have heard the term "force multiplier" used for a guy like Styles, but it is one of the highest compliments.
When the best players are often described, people talk about how they have a tendency to raise the play of others around them. How can they not only show up every Sunday, but also how they impact their teammates? What do they do to improve and lead those around them? That is the sign of a true leader. That is what Sonny Styles is as a prospect.
Styles is the type of player that shows up to an NFL team on day one and commands respect immediately. He then backs it up with top-level talent.
I would go as far as to expect Styles to be a defense's green dot player by the time week one rolls around next season. That is the type of player that he is, and he has earned every bit of the recognition to back him up.
Styles' draft stock is climbing. He is expected to be a top-15 pick, but he has played his way into being a top-10 pick and might even get some top-five consideration.
The next two weeks will be fun for Styles, and wherever he goes, that team is getting a force-multiplier.
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