It seems a player has switched positions for the Ohio State football team
By Ryan Stano
There has been a lot of speculation about one of the most versatile players on the Ohio State football team and what position he's going to play in 2024. That player is, of course, Sonny Styles. Styles was a starting safety for the Buckeyes last year but now has been displaced with the addition of Caleb Downs from the transfer portal.
Fans and media alike have speculated that Styles might be moving to linebacker. He's got the body type to be physical in the hole like a linebacker. Heck, that's what he did last year from his safety position. He's obviously got the speed to drop into coverage too.
It seems that speculation is correct. Styles was practicing with the linebackers on the first day of Spring practice. He wasn't one of the starters though. Cody Simon and C.J. Hicks were the two guys who were getting first-team reps. That doesn't mean Styles isn't going to get snaps.
Ryan Day wouldn't specify anything regarding Styles' position for next year but acknowledged you'll see him line up at linebacker.
Ryan Day said Sonny Styles — who lined up at LB this morning — will move around a lot this spring.
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) March 5, 2024
“You will see him at linebacker. You will see him do some other things as time goes on,” Day said. “We will watch the film and continue to build his package.”
I do expect Styles to spend most of his time at linebacker. I see him rotating with Simon and Hicks if Styles isn't able to get the starting position. There also could be some times next season when the Buckeyes line up in a traditional 4-3 style or a 3-4 and Styles could be on the field then.
Because Styles is such a versatile player, the Buckeyes have plenty of options. They can figure out where he fits best on a defense that is going to be really good anyway. This is a good problem for the Ohio State football program to have during Spring practice.
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Tuesday was just the first day, so we will learn a lot more about this situation as practices continue. My guess is Day isn't going to divulge where exactly Styles will line up until the Fall if he even says something before Week 1. He likes to be secretive that way.