The Ohio State football program used Sonny Styles to the fullest of his ability while he was with the Buckeyes. He came in as the best safety in the country. After two years, the Ohio State Buckeyes moved him to the linebacker spot to better utilize his skills.
After making that move, Styles became one of the top defensive prospects in the country. This past season, with Matt Patricia calling the plays, Styles really turned into a great linebacker. Styles is likely going to be a first-round pick when the NFL Draft rolls around in April.
Styles was asked a host of questions while speaking to the media at the NFL Combine. One of the questions he was asked was about Patricia. Styles could not have given a higher endorsement of him returning to coach the Buckeyes next season.
Ohio State linebacker gives massive endorsement to Matt Patricia
When asked about Patricia, Styles gave a glowing endorsement of what he did for him and the rest of Ohio State's defense this past season. He even said Patricia helped him get ready for the Combine.
"Coach Patricia was a huge help. The way he taught the defense, a lot of these rooms I go in, it's similar terminology, so they understand what I'm saying. Even in the process of training for the Combine, him hoping into calls with all of us, taking us through what a meeting is going to look like, he's been such a great help."
Styles is going to be one of the first Buckeyes off the board. Patricia is a big reason for that. He helped turn Styles into a more confident linebacker who took better angles to make tackles than he did in 2024. Now, he is a fully formed player ready for the NFL.
With Patricia returning next year, the Buckeyes should once again be one of the best teams in the country, even with all of the defensive talent they lose.