Ohio State LB Sonny Styles receives rare accolade that many college football players can’t say the same about

Ohio State had a few position battles heading into training camp this fall and one of them was at the weak-side linebacker spot. Sonny Styles has made the switch from safety to linebacker thanks to the body growth that he has continued to undergo. Styles is battling against third-year linebacker C.J. Hicks to start alongside Cody Simon.

Heading into the 2024 season, Styles has been named to the 2024 Bruce Feldman Freaks list . Styles is a 6-foot-4, 235-pound linebacker, according to the Ohio State roster, and has been moved to his new position because he just keeps on growing .

“Styles is making his second appearance on the Freaks List (he was No. 20 last year), and he still won’t turn 20 until late November. He had a strong season last year starting 12 games while racking up 53 tackles with 4.5 TFLs and two sacks as a safety. This year, Styles shifted to linebacker where he should become an even bigger problem for rival offenses. He is 6-4 ½ and 240 pounds — up 12 pounds from last year. Styles still broad-jumped 10-11 and vertical-jumped 39 inches to go with a 600-pound squat.” — Bruce Feldman, The Athletic

At linebacker, someone who has been high on him all along is his posting coach, who knows a thing or two about being a successful linebacker in Columbus.

“He’s a freak,” said former Buckeye James Laurinaitis and current linebacker coach at Ohio State, via The Athletic. “And the best part is his football intelligence and his maturity is really incredible.”

Styles is still just 20 years old thanks to being a year young for his grade. The Pickerington Central product can drop in coverage, stop the ball carrier, and even rush the passer. His athletic ability at his size is eye-popping to watch at times and it is not hard to see why he ended up on Feldman’s list.

Expect a big season No. 3 for Styles and he should have a big impact for an Ohio State defense that has a chance to be elite .

Related: Obvious player will have to answer the call if Ohio State wants to win the College Football Playoff in 2024