When Sonny Styles committed to Ohio State, few could have predicted how remarkable the story would become. He arrived in Columbus at 17 — a reclassified freshman who should still be in high school — and left as one of the most celebrated defenders in program history.
From day one, expectations were enormous. Styles not only met them; he helped carry the Buckeyes to a national championship. Now, the standout linebacker has officially taken the next step in his football journey.
On Friday, Styles agreed to terms on his rookie contract with the Washington Commanders, according to ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter, after being selected No. 7 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Based on standard NFL slotting, Styles, who will wear No. 52 to begin his NFL career, signed a fully guaranteed four-year deal worth $37.2 million, including a roughly $23.9 million signing bonus. The contract also includes a fifth-year team option, as is standard for all first-round selections.
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Styles' path to the NFL is as deeply rooted in Ohio as any Buckeye's. Born in Columbus and raised in Pickerington, he is the son of Lorenzo Styles Sr., a former Ohio State linebacker and six-year NFL veteran — meaning football was in his blood from the beginning. He starred at Pickerington Central High School in multiple sports, even helping lead the basketball program to a 2022 Division I state title, before committing to Ohio State on Nov. 13, 2021.
After reclassifying and skipping his senior year of high school, Styles was a five-star prospect and ranked as the No. 2 safety in the 2022 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports rankings. He immediately saw action as a true freshman, a rarity for the Scarlet and Gray.
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Styles played safety during his first two seasons at Ohio State, recording 53 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks as a sophomore in 2023. Styles transitioned to linebacker ahead of the 2024 season, a move that unlocked his full potential. In his first year at the position under linebackers coach ames Laurinaitis, Styles put together an impressive season, finishing with 100 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery, while helping the Buckeyes capture a national championship.
Rather than declaring for the NFL Draft after that title run, Styles chose to return to Columbus for his senior season, pursuing back-to-back national championships and a chance to beat Michigan for the first time in his career.
Styles was named a captain ahead of his senior campaign and earned first-team All-American honors after recording 82 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and one forced fumble.
At the NFL Combine, Styles' athleticism stood out as he recorded a 4.46 40-yard dash, a 43.5-inch vertical, and an 11-foot-2 broad jump — all at 244 pounds — cementing his status as one of the most physically gifted defensive prospects in years.
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The Commanders were enamored with Styles from the start. Washington head coach Dan Quinn has already suggested that Styles could wear the green dot — the designation for the defensive play-caller — as a rookie.
With his contract signed, Styles can now focus on proving he belongs among the NFL's elite in Washington.