Sonny Styles is a former five-star recruit from Pickerington Central High School in Ohio, just a stone’s throw from Columbus. He was originally a part of the 2023 recruiting class, but reclassified to join the 2022 class and enroll at Ohio State for this past season.
Reclassifying is becoming more common in the age of name, image and likeness thanks to high-profile recruits such as Quinn Ewers, but it is still infrequent and it is always a safe bet to assume these players are not going to be ready to compete immediately.
I contained my optimism in regard to Styles because of this, but the dude is the perfect prospect even down to the bloodlines. His dad is Lorenzo Styles, who is an Ohio State legend and former third-round selection at linebacker. The following is what we can expect from Styles.
Strengths
Breaking It All Down
Sonny Styles was a five-star prospect for a reason, and he has the ability to develop into a star that can force offenses to plan around him. That hasn’t been the case in Columbus since Malik Hooker roamed the back in 2016. Styles’ elite speed provides the necessary range to make explosive plays in coverage while defending any possible big plays.
Styles has a rare mixture of athleticism and size. He likely runs in the 4.5-second range in the 40-yard dash. He is 6 foot, 4 inches and 215 pounds and has the potential to gain at least 15 more pounds. Styles plays with an old-school style, roaming the defensive backfield with rare physicality.
Ohio State safety Sonny Styles HS basketball mixtape! 🌰 @sonnystyles_ pic.twitter.com/PldQZiyPzW
— Jake Spegal (@JakeSpegal270) January 6, 2023
Weaknesses
Breaking It Down
Sonny Styles has few weaknesses, but two things are pretty clear when watching his tape. Styles is very raw. This is a player that was bigger, faster, and stronger than 90% of his opponents in high school and there was never any reason for him to grow as a technician, which is needed in the Big Ten.
The other noticeable trait is that Styles loves going for the kill shot and fails to wrap up ball carriers more often than you would like to see. It didn’t matter in high school, because when he hit someone they fell down. That is not always going to be the case in the Big Ten.
Sonny Styles PUNISHED HIM 😳 @sonnystyles_ @PCtigerfootball pic.twitter.com/S467cwYRbh
— 270 Gridiron 🏈 (@270Gridiron) October 24, 2020
Comparison: Roger Harper
Good Buckeye Morning Ohio State Fans, especially to Roger Harper, only 24 days until That Team Up North! #GoBucks #TheGame pic.twitter.com/dawfkz9ZT9
— Tom Adelsberg (@ShhhTAdelsberg) November 2, 2022
Breaking It All Down
It was a bit shocking to see such a lack of photos and highlights of Roger Harper online because he was such a star during his time at Ohio State. Harper was redshirted his first season on campus in 1989 after being recruited as a wide receiver. In 1990, Harper saw action in 10 games as a backup safety, but in 1991, Harper was a starter and showed flashes of dominance. Heading into his redshirt junior season in 1992, Harper received All-Big Ten and Thorpe Award hype and deservedly so. He finished first-team All-Big Ten.
Harper declared for the NFL draft and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round and was named to the All-Rookie team in 1993. He went on to spend time with the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers in the NFL and the B.C. Lions of the Canadian Football League before hanging up the cleats after the 1999 season.
Harper and Styles have jaw-dropping size for the safety position and have elite athleticism to shine at either safety spot. Styles may never pack a stat sheet, but he should be a guy that strikes fear into offenses and forces them to do everything to avoid him.
