Sonny Styles breaking up a pass intended for Jadarian Price
Sonny Styles breaking up a pass intended for Jadarian Price
Former Ohio State wide receivers continued to dominate on Sundays the same way Jeremiah Smith is dominating on Saturdays. Jeremy Ruckert hit a Buckeye-themed celebration in the state up north, and Chase Young continued his emergence as one of the NFL’s best pass rushers. But this week’s Across The Shield starts with a pair of dominant performances from rookie linebackers, Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese, who showed they were top-10 draft picks in the third games of their NFL careers.
Styles and Reese were everywhere in Week 3
Back in April’s NFL draft, Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles became the first-ever pair of linebackers from the same school to be selected in the top 10 picks of the same NFL draft. In their third games as NFL players on Sunday, both of them showed why they were drafted so highly.
Reese, the No. 5 overall pick, tied for fourth among all NFL players with 12 total tackles in Week 3. The former Ohio State All-American was all over the field for the New York Giants, also recording a pass breakup with one tackle for loss in their 12-7 win over the Tennessee Titans.
Arvell Reese was flying around the field against Tennessee.
12 TKL, 9 SOLO, 1 TFL, 1 PD vs Titans
The rookie linebacker continues to flash as one of the most exciting young pieces on New York’s defense. https://t.co/UMG5nOAliR pic.twitter.com/5Zx9aA1QRV
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) September 28, 2026
As great as Reese was, Ohio State’s other All-American linebacker from last season made an even bigger impact in his team’s Week 3 win.
Styles forced two turnovers in the Washington Commanders’ 33-31 win over the Seattle Seahawks, starting with the Seahawks’ second possession of the game, when he forced a fumble by fellow rookie Jadarian Price.
first takeaway of the year ‼️
#SEAvsWAS FOX pic.twitter.com/khMK0RsOVP
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 27, 2026
On the Seahawks’ first drive of the second half, Styles beat Jaxon Smith-Njigba to the ball for an interception after Sam Darnold’s pass was deflected at the line of scrimmage.
SONNY STYLES INTERCEPTION
#SEAvsWAS FOX pic.twitter.com/iv9cWR33Es
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 27, 2026
Styles also played a key role in the Commanders’ third takeaway of the day. Already wearing the green dot as Washington’s defensive signal-caller as a rookie, Styles made a check at the line of scrimmage that put fellow Commanders linebacker Kain Medrano in position to make the pick-six that would ultimately be the game-winning score.
Sonny Styles helped the @commanders defense get into the right look before Kain Medrano's Pick-6 pic.twitter.com/LE07ITusyh
— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2026
Game-winning pick made by LB Kain Medrano (first ever defensive snaps) was set up by rookie LB Sonny Styles (third career game)
Special moment in Washington pic.twitter.com/kjHXqaxLd5
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) September 28, 2026
Styles also made five tackles in the game as well as a picture-perfect pass breakup, running stride-for-stride with Price more than 25 yards down the field to knock a pass down.
Sonny Styles with the PBU @SEAvsWAS on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/F6KiZsymMY
— NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2026
In recognition of his hugely impactful play throughout the game, Styles earns our Pro Buck of the Week award as Ohio State’s top NFL performer of Week 3.
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Week Player Stats
1 Saints WR Chris Olave 10 catches, 182 yards
2 Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba 9 catches, 155 yards, 3 TD
3 Commanders LB Sonny Styles 5 tackles, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 PBU
JSN continues to dominate
Although the Seahawks lost on Sunday, Jaxon Smith-Njigba continued his scintillating start to the season.
Smith-Njigba caught 10 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns in Week 3, bringing him to 27 catches, 405 yards and six touchdowns for the season – numbers that lead the league in all three categories.
JSN takes it to the end zone @jaxon_smith1
: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/sWal2PwFKm
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 27, 2026
2ND OF THE DAY IT'S A TOUCHDOWN @jaxon_smith1
: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/t4uZvbSJ23
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 27, 2026
Smith-Njigba also completed a pass to Seahawks running back George Holani on a trick play for a 14-yard gain.
After leading the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards and winning the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award last season, Smith-Njigba is off to an even faster start this year. He’s just the second receiver in NFL history (Jerry Rice) with at least 120 receiving yards and one touchdown in each of the first three weeks of the season, and also only the second receiver ever (Marvin Harrison Sr.) with 400 receiving yards and six touchdowns before Week 4.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s start to the 2026 NFL season:
Week 1 – 8 catches, 122 yards, TD
Week 2 – 9 catches, 155 yards, 3 TD
Week 3 – 10 catches, 128 yards, 2 TD https://t.co/tw1Kt3gw5Q
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) September 27, 2026
Smith-Njigba is tied for the league lead in receptions with his former Ohio State teammate Chris Olave, who ranks second in the NFL with 375 receiving yards on his 27 catches. Olave had his second 100-yard game of the season on Sunday as he caught nine passes for 107 yards in the New Orleans Saints’ 35-27 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Chris Olave with the toe drag catch @LVvsNO on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/UCjyTRgYYK
— NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2026
Chris Olave got for this catch@LVvsNO on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/aunsXOJ2ck
— NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2026
Wide Receiver U: Ohio State Has College Football’s Leading Receiver and the Top Two Receivers in the NFL
Wide Receiver U: Ohio State Has College Football’s Leading Receiver and the Top Two Receivers in the NFL
Two Buckeyes score in Detroit
The other starting wide receiver from Ohio State’s 2021 football team had a big week, too. Garrett Wilson caught 10 passes for 107 yards in the New York Jets’ 31-24 loss to the Detroit Lions, highlighted by a spectacular 23-yard touchdown catch that tied the game in the fourth quarter.
Garrett Wilson are you SERIOUS
: #NYJvsDET on FOX pic.twitter.com/No3NoPPVW7
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 27, 2026
That wasn’t the only spectacular catch of the day for Wilson, who leads the NFL with eight contested catches this season – putting him just ahead of Olave (seven) and Smith-Njigba (six), according to Pro Football Focus.
Oh my Garrett Wilson @NYJvsDET on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/e3IjVWJfpS
— NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2026
Garrett Wilson making BIG catches today @NYJvsDET on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/BvUSHX5ijG
— NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2026
He wasn’t the only Buckeye to have a big day catching the ball in the state up north on Sunday. Jeremy Ruckert caught five passes for 39 yards for the Jets, both career-highs, including a 4-yard touchdown catch – which he appropriately celebrated by giving an O-H-I-O to the Detroit crowd.
of course he hit the O-H-I-O in Michigan
: #NYJvsDET on FOX pic.twitter.com/YWfTdCpubH
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 27, 2026
Pair of sacks for The Predator
After a slower start to his NFL career than expected, Chase Young has fully emerged as one of the NFL’s elite pass rushers in his seventh season in the league.
Three weeks into the season, the 2020 No. 2 overall pick is tied for fourth in the NFL with 3.5 sacks. All of those sacks have come in the last two weeks, with two of them coming Sunday against the Raiders, including a strip sack that could have been a game-changing play if not for a lucky bounce of the ball into the hands of Raiders fullback Connor Heyward.
Chase Young, goodness.
CBS pic.twitter.com/xAewklQ4Pc
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 27, 2026
The 2019 national defensive player of the year at Ohio State, Young recorded a career-high 10 sacks in 2025 – his second season with the Saints – and looks to be taking his game to an even higher level so far in 2026.
Chase Young has faced Penei Sewell, Ronnie Stanley, and Kolton Miller yet still has the 3rd-highest PFF pass-rushing grade this season among Edge-Rushers
He finally looks like the guy everyone thought we'd see coming out of Ohio State pic.twitter.com/hAeVtZ5emj
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) September 28, 2026
Quick Hits
Zach Harrison blocked the first field goal of his NFL career in the Atlanta Falcons’ 35-14 win over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football.
Zach Harrison swats down a field goal on Thursday Night Football ‼️ pic.twitter.com/yf7vL43kJs
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 25, 2026
It’s not very often that a defensive back stuffs Derrick Henry, but that’s exactly what Caleb Downs did for a 4th-and-1 stop in the Dallas Cowboys’ loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
STUFFED ON 4TH DOWN
: #BALvsDAL on CBS
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/XM2vIx7C1d pic.twitter.com/h4NyJw3OFQ
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) September 27, 2026
Ronnie Hickman made the game-sealing interception in the Cleveland Browns’ 21-18 win over the Carolina Panthers.
we'll take that thank youuuu#CARvsCLE on FOX pic.twitter.com/vCWs21wkCT
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 27, 2026
Malik Harrison recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff in the Giants’ win over the Titans.
OUR BALL
: CBS pic.twitter.com/5oTvNPs7wK
— New York Giants (@Giants) September 27, 2026
DaVon Hamilton took advantage of one of the worst fumbles you’ll ever see by Drake Maye for his fourth career fumble recovery in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 35-6 win over the New England Patriots. Hamilton also forced a fumble and made five tackles.
.@Jaguars with the takeaway@NEvsJAX on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/vEcH2RoW3w
— NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2026
Davison Igbinosun received the highest Pro Football Focus grade (91.1) among all NFL cornerbacks in Week 3 – and the second-highest PFF grade among all rookies for the week behind only Styles (91.8). IGB made six tackles with a pass breakup and allowed only three yards on two catches on three targets in the Buffalo Bills’ 24-16 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Denzel Ward was also dominant in coverage, allowing one catch for 12 yards on five targets in the Browns’ win over the Panthers.
@denzelward was everywhere on the field against the Panthers @insidethenfl Week 3 Mic'd Up on X pic.twitter.com/odsw2rhxle
— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2026
Terry McLaurin caught his first touchdown pass of the season on a 30-yard grab in the Commanders’ win over the Seahawks.
WENT UP AND GOT IT. TERRY TOUCHDOWN
#SEAvsWAS FOX pic.twitter.com/CLDeeVJobP
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 27, 2026
The Best Damn Band in the Land performed at halftime of the Browns’ win over the Panthers.
Double Script in Huntington Bank Field #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/gLc9khJ3Ug
— The Ohio State University Marching Band (@TBDBITL) September 27, 2026
Week 3 Stats
Stats for every Buckeye who has played in an NFL game through the first three weeks of the season can be found in the table below compiled by Eleven Warriors researcher Matt Gutridge. The table only includes players who finished their college football careers at Ohio State.
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PLAYER POSITION TEAM WEEK 3 STATS SEASON STATS
NICK BOSA DE 49ERS Inactive 6 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 QB hit
BARON BROWNING LB CARDINALS 2 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit
DENZEL BURKE CB CARDINALS 2 tackles, 2 PD 7 tackles, 2 PD
JONATHON COOPER LB BRONCOS Unavailable Commissioner’s exempt list
CADEN CURRY DE COLTS 1 tackle 4 tackles
J.K. DOBBINS RB BRONCOS 17 carries, 49 yards; 1 catch, 4 yards 35 carries, 121 yards; 1 catch, 4 yards
CJ DONALDSON RB SAINTS 1 carry, 5 yards 4 carries, 11 yards
CALEB DOWNS S COWBOYS 3 tackles 20 tackles, 1 sack (1 yard), 1 PD, 1 FF
EMEKA EGBUKA WR BUCCANEERS 5 catches, 62 yards 13 catches, 141 yards, 1 TD
TOMMY EICHENBERG LB RAIDERS 1 tackle 4 tackles
LUKE FARRELL TE 49ERS Played at TE 2 catches, 19 yards
JUSTIN FIELDS QB CHIEFS Did not play Played 1 game at RB
JOSH FRYAR OL CARDINALS Inactive Played on special teams
MIKE HALL JR. DT BROWNS 3 tackles 3 tackles
DAVON HAMILTON DT JAGUARS 5 tackles, 0.5 sack (4 yards), 1 QB hit, 1 FF, 1 FR 12 tackles, 0.5 sack (4 yards), 2 QB hits, 1 FF, 1 FR
TY HAMILTON DT RAMS 3 tackles 4 tackles
JORDAN HANCOCK S BILLS Injured reserve (hamstring) 6 tackles
MALIK HARRISON LB GIANTS 1 FR 2 tackles, 1 FR
ZACH HARRISON DE FALCONS 1 tackle, 1 TFL, 1 blocked FG 3 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 blocked FG
MARVIN HARRISON JR. WR CARDINALS 3 catches, 40 yards 4 catches, 73 yards
TREVEYON HENDERSON RB PATRIOTS 8 carries, 23 yards; 1 catch, 6 yards 24 carries, 99 yards, 1 TD; 1 catch, 6 yards
CAMERON HEYWARD DT STEELERS 1 tackle, 2 QB hits 7 tackles, 3 QB hit, 4 PD
RONNIE HICKMAN S BROWNS 8 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PD 19 tackles, 1 sack (0 yards), 1 QB hit. 1 INT, 1 PD
MALIK HOOKER S COWBOYS Inactive 1 tackle
WILL HOWARD QB STEELERS Inactive Has not played
DAVISON IGBINOSUN CB BILLS 6 tackles, 1 PD 13 tackles, 2 PD
DONOVAN JACKSON OL VIKINGS Started at LG 3 games started
JONAH JACKSON OG BEARS Started at RG 3 games started
PARIS JOHNSON JR. OL CARDINALS Started at LT 3 games started
DAWAND JONES OT BROWNS Played on special teams 3 games played
DRE'MONT JONES DE PATRIOTS Inactive 3 tackles, 1 sack (5 yards), 1 TFL, 4 QB hits
QUINSHON JUDKINS RB BROWNS 18 carries, 70 yards; 2 catches, 9 yards 42 carries, 124 yards; 9 catches, 53 yards
WILL KACMAREK TE DOLPHINS Played at TE 1 catch, 4 yards
MAX KLARE TE RAMS Played on special teams 2 game played
LIAM McCULLOUGH LS FALCONS Played at LS 2 games played
KAYDEN McDONALD DT TEXANS Injured reserve (ankle) Has not played
SETH McLAUGHLIN C LIONS Did not play Has not played
TERRY McLAURIN WR COMMANDERS 6 catches, 77 yards, 1 TD 10 catches, 141 yards, 1 TD
JOSH MYERS C JETS Started at C 3 starts at C
CHRIS OLAVE WR SAINTS 9 catches, 107 yards 27 catches, 375 yards, 1 TD
ETHAN ONIANWA OT FALCONS Inactive Has not played
LATHAN RANSOM S PANTHERS 8 tackles, 1 PD 15 tackles, 1 PD
ARVELL REESE LB GIANTS 12 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PD 24 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PD
JEREMY RUCKERT TE JETS 5 catches, 39 yards, 1 TD 8 catches, 48 yards, 1 TD
JACK SAWYER LB STEELERS 2 tackles 6 tackles
JOSH SIMMONS OT CHIEFS Inactive Has not played
CODY SIMON LB CARDINALS 2 tackles 3 tackles
JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA WR SEAHAWKS 10 catches, 128 yards, 2 TD; 1/1 passing, 14 yards 27 catches, 405 yards, 6 TD; 1/1 passing, 14 yards
CADE STOVER TE TEXANS Started at TE 1 catch, -2 yards
C.J. STROUD QB TEXANS 16/27, 167 yards, 1 TD; 2 carries, 10 yards 72/120, 794 yards, 3 TD; 7 carries, 54 yards
LORENZO STYLES JR. S SAINTS Injured reserve (calf) Injured
SONNY STYLES LB COMMANDERS 5 tackles, 1 QB hit, 1 INT, 2 PD, 1 FF 12 tackles, 1 sack (1 yard), 2 TFL, 1 QB hit, 1 INT, 2 PD, 1 FF
CARNELL TATE WR TITANS 6 catches, 58 yards 13 catches, 111 yards
TOMMY TOGIAI DT TEXANS 6 tackles, 1 FR 14 tackles, 1 FR
J.T. TUIMOLOAU DE COLTS 1 tackle 5 tackles, 1 QB hit
DENZEL WARD CB BROWNS 3 tackles, 1 PD 13 tackles, 1 PD, 2 FF
PETE WERNER LB SAINTS 3 tackles, 1 QB hit 21 tackles, 1 sack (8 yards), 2 TFL, 2 QB hits, 1 PD
TYLEIK WILLIAMS DL LIONS Started at DT 8 tackles, 1 QB hit
GARRETT WILSON WR JETS 10 catches, 107 yards, 1 TD 21 catches, 243 yards, 2 TD
LUKE WYPLER C BROWNS Played on special teams 3 games played
CHASE YOUNG DE SAINTS 2 sacks (12 yards), 1 FF 4 tackles, 3.5 sacks (29 yards), 3 TFL, 5 QB hits, 1 PD, 1 FF
Charlie Becker
Charlie Becker