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Ohio State Football: Sonny Styles will be asked to do more

By Frank Teriaca

Nov 4, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Sonny Styles (6) and cornerback Davison Igbinosun (1) take the field prior to the NCAA football game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Ohio State won 35-16.
Nov 4, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Sonny Styles (6) and cornerback Davison Igbinosun (1) take the field prior to the NCAA football game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Ohio State won 35-16. /
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The Ohio State football team and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will be relying on Sonny Styles down the stretch run of the season.

The Ohio State football team should thank their lucky stars for Sonny Styles reclassifying to the 2023 recruiting class. The 18-year-old sophomore should be in his freshman season this year for the Buckeyes. But thanks to his enrolling early, Styles was ready to make a big difference this season.

And indeed, he has. Styles ranks No. 1 in the nation in defending the run according to PFF with a grade of 91.8. Styles is an absolute beast when on the line of scrimmage. He’s a sure tackler and he always seems to be in the right gap. Styles has also done a great job in blitzing the quarterback as of late.

But, with the injury to deep safety Lathan Ransom that will all but likely end his season, Styles will be asked to do more in this defense by coordinator Jim Knowles, via Eleven Warriors:

"“Sonny is taller. He has range. He has a lot of experience covering the slot at the nickel position, which is difficult to do as that translates into the boundary. He has a lot of versatility. He made some plays for us last game blitzing. He can be a real factor in the blitz game.”"

If Ohio State wants to get its best eleven defenders on the field, Styles will have to take over Lathan Ransom’s vacant position. This would allow corner Jordan Hancock to take over the nickel safety role full-time, something Hancock has excelled in thus far this year.

It’s a lot to ask for such a young player. Finally being comfortable with his current role, he will be asked to put more on his plate and play some free safety. But Styles is such a rare athlete that it might just work out fine. He has every physical tool that you look for in a player.

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If Styles can help at free safety while also being able to switch back to his current strong safety role this defense could be a force to be reckoned with as we conclude this season. Hopefully, he’s up for the challenge.

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