With the 2022 signing period exactly a week away, Ohio State learned it would be getting one of its most coveted targets a year early.
Pickerington Central officially granted five-star safety/linebacker Sonny Styles permission to reclassify from the class of 2023 to 2022 this week, and it was publicly announced by the school on Wednesday that Styles plans to sign with the Buckeyes on Dec. 15.
Official press release from Pickerington Central indicating Sonny will sign with OSU on Dec. 15. pic.twitter.com/bgOlT03GDa
— Garrick Hodge (@Garrick_Hodge) December 8, 2021
Reaction from Ohio State has poured in quickly, with the general consensus being jubilation the Buckeyes will get their top target in 2023 in Columbus a year early, presumably ready for him to make an immediate impact on Sept. 3, 2022 at Ohio Stadium when Ohio State faces off against Notre Dame and Lorenzo Styles Jr., Sonny's brother.
It might not be that simple.
There's multiple aspects of Styles' reclassification to delve into.
The first is how it benefits him. Getting in the program sooner rather than later and beginning to train with Mickey Marotti and learning the defensive scheme early should benefit him in the long run. Even if he doesn’t see immediate playing time, he’ll have the opportunity to speed up his development to make an impact for the Buckeyes and ultimately play in the NFL.
As was the case for Quinn Ewers when he reclassified in August, Styles will also become eligible for the NFL draft one year earlier, as a player can declare for the NFL draft once he is three years removed from high school. While Styles’ decision doesn’t appear to be motivated by name, image and likeness benefits, he certainly could benefit from similar opportunities with his recruiting pedigree.
Of course, we all know by now how Ewers’ reclassification went for Ohio State, as he was on campus for fewer than four months before hitting the transfer portal. When some fans heard the news of Styles' decision, it gave them Ewers PTSD, but there are differences between Ewers' situation and Styles' reclassification.
One of the biggest rumors surrounding Ewers' departure is that he was homesick, as his family resides in Texas. Styles lives just 30 minutes away from campus in Pickerington, so that shouldn’t be an issue.
Also, Ewers also joined Ohio State in the middle of fall camp. Styles likely won't enroll until the summer, but he should be available to participate in June workouts and go through a full camp before his freshman season, giving him a more realistic opportunity to get on the field as a freshman.
Pick Central DB and 5-star recruit Sonny Styles is planning to re-classify to 2021 and join Ohio State next year. Talked to his high school coach about it. I believe Sonny plans to continue with his basketball season at Pick Central.
— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) December 8, 2021
Ewers seemingly wanted to start as soon as next season, and that was never going to happen considering he was behind a quarterback that at worst will end the season as a Heisman finalist and will be back for at least one more year.
Styles should have a path to playing at least some snaps as soon as he earns them, whether that be on defense or special teams, and he could certainly be ready to start by year two, considering one of the best aspects of Styles' game is his versatility to play various positions all over the field from deep safety to box safety to linebacker. Heck, he even played long snapper for Pickerington Central last season, so he's shown a willingness to play wherever he is asked.
Ohio State needs more playmakers on defense after a lackluster year on that side of the ball this season, and the door could be open for Styles to climb the safety depth chart quickly, especially since it doesn’t look likely either of OSU's primary safety targets who were already in the 2022 class, Zion Branch or Xavier Nwankpa, will end up with the Buckeyes.
While he could have the opportunity for early snaps if he progresses faster than expected, expectations for Styles' first year should be tamed. Although it would be fun to see him line up against his brother Week 1 and he is physically developed for his age, it's important to remember Styles just turned 17.
Read that sentence again. Styles is 17 years old, and will be for most of next season. He won't be old enough to legally vote yet, so those wanting to see him play a major role immediately could be disappointed.
But there's a reason fans are champing at the bit to see Styles in action. His recruiting pedigree is such that in his OSU career, he could launch to stardom as either a linebacker or a safety, though he has said in various interviews that the Buckeyes see Styles as a bullet.
Newly hired defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will certainly have a say in where Styles ends up playing for the Buckeyes once he arrives on campus. If Styles ends up playing bullet or a similar role, he could be the natural successor to Ronnie Hickman, who will be a candidate to enter the 2023 NFL draft if he has another productive season next year.
If he's asked to play a different safety position, or if that proves to be his fastest path to the field if he can beat out the likes of Lathan Ransom, Bryson Shaw or a presumably healthy Josh Proctor, that won't be anything new for Styles. Styles played primarily as a deep safety in high school, though he sometimes lined up as a linebacker and even as an edge defender to rush the passer or contain the run. It wouldn't be hard to imagine Knowles creating a run-stopping package centering on Styles lining up in the box, with Styles offering the flexibility to drop back in pass coverage if the opposing offense goes play action or decides to pass out of a run formation.
If there's anything that could get Styles on the field sooner than later, it's his rare side-to-side agility for a prospect of his build. He's already 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, yet is capable of covering wide receivers in both man-to-man coverage and in zone defenses. Physicality isn't an issue, as he showed in his now-last game ever in high school he's capable of delivering a big hit, though it was a penalty and cost Pickerington Central a defensive touchdown.
Defensive touchdown negated after Sonny is flagged for a blindside hit. Was a hell of a hit, though. Pickerington Central and Upper Arlington locked in a good one tied at 14 late third quarter. pic.twitter.com/PPMCwrEpkr
— Garrick Hodge (@Garrick_Hodge) November 20, 2021
As talented as Styles is, the possibility of him playing a significant role by the end of his freshman year can’t be ruled out. It’s still probably more likely he makes a big impact in 2023 than in 2022, but getting to campus early should equip him to play a big role for the Buckeyes by 2023, when he would have been a true freshman but will now be a sophomore or redshirt freshman.
