Sonny Styles set a 43.5-inch vertical jump record for off-ball linebackers at the NFL combine since 2003
The Ohio State linebacker also ran a 4.46 40-yard dash and had an 11-foot-2-inch broad jump
Styles' vertical jump was better than Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson's 2007 combine performance
Styles emphasized the importance of versatile defensive players in modern NFL schemes
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Projected top-10 NFL draft pick Sonny Styles from Ohio State wowed scouts with a 43.5-inch vertical jump during the first night of on-field workouts at the NFL combine in Lucas Oil Stadium on Thursday, February 26, 2026, demonstrating his exceptional athleticism to league personnel evaluators ahead of the upcoming draft. The 6-foot-5, 244-pound linebacker's vertical jump was the highest by an off-ball linebacker at the combine since 2003 and the second-highest by any linebacker in the last two decades, trailing only Cameron Wake's 45.5-inch jump in 2005. Styles also impressed with a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and an 11-foot-2-inch broad jump, which was the best among all players who participated Thursday night. His performance surpassed even notable athletes like Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who recorded a 42.5-inch vertical jump at the 2007 combine. Styles' versatility was highlighted when he mentioned how valuable players like Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori have been to their teams, emphasizing the importance of having defensive players who can excel in multiple roles.
The NFL draft, officially known as the Annual Player Selection Meeting, is an annual event which serves as the most common source of player recruitment in the National Football League (NFL). Each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order relative to its record in the previous y...
The Ohio State University (Ohio State, tOSU, or OSU) is a public, land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1870, it is the flagship institution of the University System of Ohio. It is regarded as a "Public Ivy" and is consistently ranked among the best public unive...
The NFL Scouting Combine is a week-long showcase occurring every February at Lucas Oil Stadium (and formerly at the RCA Dome until 2008) in Indianapolis, where college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of National Football League coaches, general managers, and scouts. With ...
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