The Washington Commanders selected Sonny Styles with the seventh pick in the 2026 NFL draft. The former two-sport star is fresh off an impressive four-year collegiate football career with the Ohio State Buckeyes.
In a clip posted by Lantern Sports in 2023, Styles sat down to discuss missing playing basketball. Former NFL scout Daniel Kelly took to X and called him out for the comment.
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“Sonny Styles admitted he misses basketball a little bit in 2023. I think he’s playing football for the wrong reasons,” wrote the former New York Jets scout.
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Styles was a highly regarded three-star basketball prospect from Pickerington Central High School. He had offers from Division I basketball programs Akron, Kent State, Ohio, Duquesne, and Toledo.
However, Styles opted to switch his focus to playing football full-time. He accepted an offer from Ohio State and went on to become one of the nation’s best defensive prospects.
The pinnacle of Styles’ collegiate football career came in the 2024 season, as he helped the Buckeyes win the 2024 CFP national championship. He also earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors while amassing a career high of six sacks.
Sonny Styles adds grit to the Washington Commanders’ defense
Sonny Styles put the NFL on notice with his performance in the 2026 Scouting Combine. He became the only player at 6 ft. 5 in and 244 lb. since 2003 to post a sub-4.5 second 40-yard dash, a 40+ inch vertical jump, and an 11+ foot broad jump.
The Washington Commanders selected him with the seventh pick of the draft. He was the first liebacker off the board, and a statement addition to the Dan Quinn-coached Commanders.
Styles will add grit, athleticism, and big game ability to the Washington Commanders’ defense. He’s fresh off playing a significant part in a dominant Ohio State Buckeyes team, and he’ll look to continue that form at the next level.
The Commanders are just one season removed from playing in the NFC Championship Game. There’s talent on the current roster, and it’ll be interesting to see how Quinn develops Styles and the rest of his draft classmates.
Edited by Nick Igbokwe
