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LB Alex “Sonny” Styles (Official Thread)

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VERSATILITY, POTENTIAL, RECRUITING CLASS AND STATE AFFILIATION TIE C.J. HICKS AND SONNY STYLES TOGETHER​


Though it's early in fall camp and of course we haven't heard from all the position groups yet, the defensive staff sure seems high on a pair of Ohio kids that headlined the 2022 class in Styles and Hicks.

Hailing from the Buckeye State is just one of the many similarities between the two.

Styles, a Pickerington product, and Hicks, a Dayton kid, both entered the program as five-star recruits. Hicks was the No. 7 overall player in 247Sports’ composite rankings while Styles slotted 12th. Both were ranked as the No. 1 prospect at their respective positions.

The pair entered the program as 215-pounders and both now clock in at 230 pounds.

Last year, both primarily saw action on kickoff and/or kickoff return teams while biding their time for defensive run, though Styles did log 67 defensive snaps compared to zero for Hicks.

Looking forward to this season, the optimism surrounding the duo's talent and versatility indicates they'll have a chance to carve out more meaningful roles, Styles in particular.

After reclassifying into the 2022 class, Styles steadily impressed the staff with his versatility, culminating in 12 snaps in the Peach Bowl loss to Georgia after previously only seeing double-digit snaps in early season blowouts against Toledo (11) and Michigan State (12).

The 2022 experience helped him launch into the 2023 season with a strong spring camp, and now he's getting first-team snaps in the early portion of fall camp. Maybe more notably than the first-team status itself is that it's coming in the nickel safety spot that would call for him to at times cover slot receivers. That would seem like a tall task for a 230-pounder, but Knowles didn't sound the least bit concerned earlier this week.

“Don't assume anything with Sonny,” Knowles said when asked about the assumption that Styles would play strong safety rather than nickel. “He's extremely talented and he can do it all. Sonny’s out there because that's where we want him.”

www.elevenwarriors.com

Versatility, Potential, Recruiting Class and State Affiliation Tie C.J. Hicks and Sonny Styles Together

Fall camp reviews make it clear multi-talented defenders and Ohio products Sonny Styles and C.J. Hicks will play increased roles in this year's defense.
www.elevenwarriors.com www.elevenwarriors.com
 
Upvote 1
ShowMeBuck said:
I don’t view it that way at all.

If he didn’t reclassify there is a greater chance he leaves in 3 years instead of 4 meaning this: where is he going to develop the best as a 17 year old, at his HS or at tOSU?

It’s an easy decision to me.

I stead of focusing on his last year in college, focus instead on his first year (or last year of HS)
Click to expand...

But he essentially missed a year of development.......his goal, and I dont fault him, is to get to the NFL as soon as possible unless he gets a massive NIL deal. That said, if he stuck around for his senior year of HS, he'd have grown into his natural position.

I want to be clear, Sonny reclassifying was a decision for him and his family.....I respect it. From a football perspective, it did not help OSU. Maybe it helped Sonny, but even that is debatable.

It's a side convo, but it's amazing how many True Freshman are entering this 2024 class, and are older than Sonny right now. It's wild.
 
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HotMic

HotMic

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Pickerington (OH) Pickerington Central High School

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Class of 2023

 


Jeff Lomonico, the Tigers’ assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, told Styles’ older brother and Notre Dame 2021 receiver commit Lorenzo Styles Jr. to call Ohio State linebackers coach Al Washington so that Washington could talk to Sonny.

“He was having a conversation with me and telling me how confident he is in me,” Styles said. “He knows what type of family I come from. He can see that, and he said he can see my athletic ability. He said he really wants to coach me.”

And then, the offer from the Buckeyes came.

“Honestly, it took me all day for it to really sink in,” Styles said. “It was pretty crazy. I was real surprised. I wasn’t expecting it that early. But I’m gonna keep going. I’m not gonna settle.”

The fact that his second Division I scholarship offer came from Ohio State speaks volumes about Styles’ potential and what he brings to the table. Even after having played only one game as a high schooler, the Buckeyes wanted to get out in front of this in-state prospect’s recruitment as soon as possible before he turns national with all of the talent and physical traits he already possesses.

“All of them really like how I could fill out and like my potential,” Styles said. “I’m really tall already, and there’s no telling how I fill out. And they like my versatility. I can play multiple positions, and, of course, the family I come from tells them something about me.”

Just sayin': This recruit should be an automatic legacy; however, he does have a brother at Notre Dame.
 
Upvote 0


That drive for perfection is what will separate him on the field no matter what he’s doing. He just doesn’t know what he’ll be doing yet. No one really does.

Is Sonny Styles a safety? Is he a linebacker? He could be either, he could be both. No matter where he plays, he’s going to be a problem for offensively-minded folks.

“Whatever squad I go to,” Styles told Lettermen Row. “I just want to be able to impact the defense in different ways. A lot of different ways. I want to be able to make plays all over the field. I know I can do that in different spots on the field.”
 
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