Sonny Styles NFL Draft: Unpacking the Ohio State Star's Football Family Legacy

POLICY WIRE — Columbus, Ohio, USA — Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles recently delivered an exceptional performance at the NFL Combine, exhibiting a rare blend of physical attributes and athletic prowess that has captivated scouts and analysts.

Despite the remarkable display, the journey from collegiate talent to NFL stardom is complex, as many physically gifted players struggle to secure a prominent professional role. Furthermore, the inside linebacker position, where Styles primarily plays, is often less prioritized compared to others in the modern NFL landscape.

However, with his inherent talent, the Ohio State Buckeyes‘ established history of developing NFL-ready athletes, and his own family’s deep roots in professional football, Styles appears poised for a potentially illustrious career. This profile delves into the familial connections supporting Styles, including his NFL veteran father and draft-eligible brother.

The Styles Brothers: Collegiate Teammates and NFL Aspirations

Sonny Styles shares his ambition for the NFL with his elder brother, Lorenzo Styles Jr., who is also a college teammate and is expected to be a late-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.

While both brothers are pursuing professional football careers simultaneously, they are not twins; a little over two years separates their births. Lorenzo, born in September 2002, initiated his collegiate football journey earlier than Sonny, who was born in November 2004. Lorenzo began his career at Notre Dame before transferring to Ohio State to play alongside his sibling.

At Notre Dame, Lorenzo, who initially played wide receiver, accumulated 54 receptions for 684 yards and two touchdowns over two seasons. His move to Ohio State in 2023 saw him transition to a full-time cornerback role. Despite the “hard decision” to transfer, Lorenzo expressed to WSYX that it presented the “best opportunity for me to excel” and aimed to help bring a national championship to Ohio. He notably achieved this goal against his former program in his second season with the Buckeyes, concluding his career with three pass deflections in 2025.

Though Sonny emerged as the higher-rated professional prospect following his stellar Combine showing, Lorenzo also impressed with a blazing 4.27-second 40-yard dash, a feat he hopes will cement his status as an NFL Draft pick.

Lorenzo Styles Sr.: An NFL Linebacker’s Legacy

The athletic prowess of both Sonny and Lorenzo Jr. comes as no surprise, considering their father, Lorenzo Styles Sr., had a distinguished NFL career. The elder Styles, an Ohio State alumnus, earned All-Big Ten honors before embarking on a six-year NFL journey as a linebacker from 1995 to 2000.

Throughout his career, he participated in 70 games, making eight starts, primarily as a reserve. He split his professional tenure between the Atlanta Falcons, who drafted him in the third round in 1995, and the St. Louis Rams. Styles Sr. concluded his NFL career with 94 tackles, without recording an interception.

A significant highlight of his career was winning Super Bowl XXXIV with the Rams at the end of the 1999 season. He played in every game that season and made a tackle in the Super Bowl victory over the Tennessee Titans, contributing to the team’s unexpected championship run.

After his playing days, Lorenzo Styles Sr. transitioned into coaching, contributing to his son Lorenzo Jr.’s high school state championship team in 2019. Currently, he serves as a defensive analyst at Bowling Green, working alongside former Buckeyes teammate Eddie George.

Laverna Styles: The Matriarch of the Buckeyes Family

The family’s strong connection to Ohio State extends to their mother, Laverna Styles. She also attended the university, graduating in 1994, and met her husband during their time as Buckeyes. Laverna currently holds a position with the Ohio Department of Administrative Services.

Her excitement was palpable when Lorenzo Jr. transferred to the program in 2023, remarking to the Ohio State Alumni Magazine, “I met my husband when we both attended Ohio State, cheered for him as a Buckeye and now I’m cheering for our sons as Buckeyes.” At the NFL Combine, Laverna proudly wore Lorenzo Jr.’s jersey during his workouts and Sonny’s during his, highlighting her unwavering support. She emphasized her sons’ focus and discipline, noting, “They know the importance of being true to yourself.”

Beyond the Gridiron: Sisters and Personal Life

While the Styles brothers carry the family’s football legacy, Sonny also has two sisters, Tonia and Sydney. They diverged from the family’s Ohio State tradition, both attending the University of Dayton. Tonia completed her studies in 2011, and Sydney graduated in August of the previous year, as their mother Laverna shared with 247 Sports in 2025.

Interestingly, Sonny Styles‘ birth name is Alexander. The nickname “Sonny” emerged during his childhood due to a fiery temper reminiscent of the character Sonny Corleone from “The Godfather,” as explained by his mother, “He could go from zero to 10 in the blink of an eye, so his nickname became Sonny.”

In his personal life, Sonny Styles is in a long-term relationship with Kaia Henderson, a basketball player for Boston College. Their connection predates college, as they attended prom together in 2022. Henderson, a native of Utica, New York, initially enrolled at Ohio State before transferring to Boston College. After redshirting the 2024-25 season, she averaged nearly 12 minutes per game in her debut season with the Eagles.

The Styles family’s roots are firmly planted in the Columbus, Ohio metro area. Sonny attended Pickerington High School Central in the Columbus suburbs, following in his father’s footsteps as a Columbus native. This deep local connection means that while Sonny has largely played close to home, the upcoming NFL Draft could potentially mark his first move away, unless he lands with the Cleveland Browns or Cincinnati Bengals.

Keywords: Sonny Styles, NFL Draft, Ohio State Football, Lorenzo Styles Jr., Lorenzo Styles Sr., NFL Combine, College Football, Buckeyes Linebacker, Football Family Legacy, Professional Football Prospects