Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles entered the first day of the 2026 NFL Combine with the opportunity to prove himself. The combine tests an athlete’s abilities. With most of the attention aimed at Ohio State’s Arvell Reese and Caleb Downs, Styles needed to have a standalone moment.
Ohio State LB Sonny Styles Generates Reaction Buzz with Vertical Leap
Styles stepped to the jump station, wanting to record a good mark. However, his 43.5-inch jump set the social media realm ablaze with comments.
Entering the draft, Styles held the No. 13 overall spot in the PFSN Mock Draft Simulator.
Now, he is the talk of the draft world, as the comments continue to swirl.
“SONNY STYLES. 43.5″u VERTICAL. UNREAL.”
SONNY STYLES. 43.5″u VERTICAL. UNREAL.@OhioStateFB | @MoveTheSticks
2026 NFL Combine on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/8p7iU5LjG5— NFL (@NFL) February 26, 2026
“Yah…Sonny Styles might be that guy Prospect Profile: https://pfsn.app/46wEATf.”
Complete with a profile, the jump aligns with it, giving a glimpse of what NFL teams could hope to expect.
Yah…Sonny Styles might be that guy
Prospect Profile: https://t.co/JnjbzbzBQA pic.twitter.com/aOnOsdQk74
— PFSN (@PFSN365) February 26, 2026
At six-feet-five and 243 pounds, the former Buckeye displayed the ability to get off his feet in a hurry. The vertical jump displays explosion, the ability to get off the snap and towards the ball.
For context, according to The Athletic, in 2024, former University of Washington linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio jumped 39.5 inches. Ulofoshio is also five inches shorter and seven pounds lighter.
“Sonny Styles’ 43.5 vertical jump. Insane.”
Sonny Styles’ 43.5 vertical jump. Insane. pic.twitter.com/09hgEp8zrU
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) February 26, 2026
“The term ‘freak of nature’ can get thrown around lightly nowadays, but what Sonny Styles is doing at this NFL combine is ‘freak of nature’ s***. Incredible player on the field too it’s no fluke. Don’t see how he gets out of the top 7 with the show he’s putting on. Maybe top 5,” Unbiased Ev‘s X post read.
The term “freak of nature” can get thrown around lightly nowadays, but what Sonny Styles is doing at this NFL combine is “freak of nature” s***. Incredible player on the field too it’s no fluke. Don’t see how he gets out of the top 7 with the show he’s putting on. Maybe top 5.
— Unbiased Ev (@DoubleVodkaDon) February 26, 2026
Last year, Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, recovering from a foot injury, did not test at the combine.
The New York Giants selected him with the No. 3 overall pick. Based on Styles’ display, he could hear his name in the Top 5.
“Welcome to Sonny Styles Day. He’s ready to put on a show.”
Welcome to Sonny Styles Day.
He’s ready to put on a show. https://t.co/xig8kJuwea
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 26, 2026
As mentioned, all the pre-Combine hype centered on Reese, Styles’ OSU teammate, being the first linebacker selected. On top of his vertical, Styles recorded a broad jump of 11’2″.
“This is just absurd.”
This is just absurd https://t.co/Wi5PvF3HlR
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) February 26, 2026
Normally, wide receivers, defensive backs, and running backs usually populate the vertical jump leaderboards. Of the best verticals in combine history, only one other linebacker claims a spot on the list.
In 2005, Penn State linebacker Derek Wake jumped 45.5 inches. Styles is tied for tenth in combine history with Miles Boykin (Notre Dame), Marcus Williams (Utah), Speedy Noll (Texas A&M), Kashif Moore (Connecticut), and Dorin Dickerson (Pittsburgh).
“Top-5 player in the draft.”
Top-5 player in the draft. https://t.co/0ILMo3BrLz
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 26, 2026
Brugler isn’t the only analyst to say this. It could become a sure thing when the NFL Draft takes place from April 23 to 25, live from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Hayden Winks wrote: “Sonny Styles with 100th percentile vertical and broad jumps with 99th percentile height. We’re looking at a potential all-time Combine if he sticks the 40 landing. He’s not making it past 7th overall at this point.”
Sonny Styles with 100th percentile vertical *and* broad jumps with 99th percentile height. We’re looking at a potential all-time Combine if he sticks the 40 landing.
He’s not making it past 7th overall at this point.
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) February 26, 2026
The Washington Commanders possess the No. 7 pick. With Daronte Jones taking over as defensive coordinator and veterans like Von Miller leaving, they could take Styles if he is still there.
While the vertical jump may not tell scouts what Styles can do in the NFL, Styles’ film could provide a peek at his potential future. Either way, his performance opened eyes.
