Will Ohio State’s Sonny Styles Transition to Linebacker?

Ohio State Buckeyes safety Sonny Styles could make a position change to linebacker ahead of the 2024 season.

Ohio State Buckeyes safety Josh Proctor believes there will be one less player than usual in the position room.

Proctor told reporters he expects Buckeyes safety Sonny Styles to make the transition to linebacker ahead of the 2024 season. The NFL prospect cited Styles’ gains in the weight room and relaxed nature in that role as evidence supporting his belief. 

“Sonny’s probably gonna be a linebacker,” Proctor said. “He keeps putting on weight. I feel like he’d be comfortable there.”

Proctor also complimented Styles’ mind, saying he is intelligent enough to play anywhere on the field.

“He’s a physical guy,” Proctor said. “He’s smart. He knows the game. He knows everybody’s spot on the defense. Anywhere you can put him, he’ll get the job done.”

The speculation on Styles making a change in position came after new Ohio State safeties coach Matt Guerrieri said he would be testing the Pickerington, Ohio native all over the field.

“Without getting into specifics, we’re going to take a look at a number of different things for him and put him in the best position for him to be successful and the team to be successful,” Guerrieri said.

Styles’ former Ohio State teammate Tommy Eichenberg also gave his stamp of approval on the transition. The ex-Buckeyes linebacker told reporters during a media session at the NFL Combine it “would be awesome” to see Styles playing at his position.

“He’s a really good football player,” Eichenberg said. “He’s been really impressive covering man-to-man on slot receivers. For him to play linebacker, that would be awesome.”