Sonny Styles may have started his college career a year early, but that doesn’t mean he was fully prepared for the next level.
Even a five-star talent like Styles, still a top-12 prospect in the country after reclassifying into the 2022 cycle, had to grapple with nerves and uncertainty as he acclimated to the highest level of college football as a true freshman. By the end of the season, though, Buckeye coaches felt comfortable enough with Styles’ ability to put him on the field for 12 snaps in the College Football Playoff semifinal against the defending national champions. And for everyone watching, it appeared to be a sign of things to come.
With a full year under his belt, Styles now has the confidence to match the sky-high expectations that followed him into the Buckeye program, which figures to be a potent combination for the Ohio State defense in 2023 no matter where he lines up.
“I feel a lot more comfortable. Coming in early last year, I was a little nervous,” Styles told Eleven Warriors at a meet-and-greet with Buckeye fans at Mark Wahlberg Chevrolet of Columbus on Saturday. “But I feel real comfortable now. I almost feel like an older guy in a sense. And obviously, the preparation is a different level. I've got to watch guys like Lathan Ransom, sit behind him and learn different things. So I think that year definitely helped me. And I think it's gonna put me forward for this year.”
Styles said that increased comfortability extends to the entire roster of returning personnel on the Ohio State defense, which enters its second year under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles in 2023. That was on full display this spring when the Buckeye defense routinely got the better of the typically prolific Ohio State offense as it dealt with some growing pains.
“Second year in the system for the defense with Coach Knowles, so I think we took a huge step forward,” Styles said. “Guys are getting more comfortable, we're starting to expand a little bit and just a bigger understanding for the playbook.”
But exactly where Styles fits into Knowles’ scheme this season remains to be seen. The 6-foot-4 safety was utilized in a hybrid linebacker role to match up with Georgia’s elite tight end talent in the Peach Bowl, but Styles’ size and skill set could also make him an ideal fit as a strong safety for the Buckeyes.
“I feel real comfortable now. I almost feel like an older guy in a sense. And obviously, the preparation is a different level.”– Sonny Styles
In May, Knowles said Styles’ coverage ability was so impressive this spring that he won’t rule out the possibility that he could play either of Ohio State’s high safety positions by the start of the season.
“I learned that Sonny can handle a lot. He's more adept at playing in a high safety position than you would think for a bigger guy,” Knowles said. “Most of the time last year, we had him at the line of scrimmage or close to the line of scrimmage. So we've come up with a dual plan for him where he'll be able to compete at a high safety position, because I think we're going to need him there, but he'll have a package where certainly he's down close to the line of scrimmage and able to blitz and do some things in the run game and pass game for us.”
Styles isn’t necessarily campaigning to play at one spot over another. The sophomore defensive back said he’s received experience in several different positions and will be satisfied with whatever opportunities he gets at any of them.
“I don't really have too much preference. Wherever they want me, honestly,” Styles said. “I feel comfortable almost anywhere on the field and I think Coach (Perry) Eliano and Coach Knowles, they've done a great job to kind of sprinkle me into different spots and let me get comfortable in different spots. So now I feel like I can do a lot of different things.”
One notable offseason acquisition should aid in Styles’ comfort level this season. Former Notre Dame wide receiver Lorenzo Styles Jr., Sonny’s older brother, is now on the Buckeye roster after transferring into the program and switching to the cornerback position.
Sonny said he would’ve been happy with whatever his brother’s final decision was on where to play post-Notre Dame, but didn’t deny that he was thrilled to play with Lorenzo again for the first time since their days at Pickerington Central High School.
“When he entered into the portal, I was hoping he could just find the best place for him. And it happened to be Ohio State, so I was super excited about that,” Styles said. “And with him being here, it's super nice. You got an automatic extra work partner every day, so that's been great. … It's pretty cool, we haven't (played together) since high school. So I'm excited. It definitely wasn't something I knew was gonna happen, but now that he's here, I'm super happy that it is.”
With his brother by his side and Buckeye coaches eager to find him a regular role on defense in 2023, Styles appears primed for a true breakout season as a sophomore.
“I just want to be the best player I can be,” Styles said. “Stay locked in, stay focused and just keep getting better every week.”
