2023 Five-star Sonny Styles commits to Ohio State

Five-star athlete Sonny Styles of Pickerington (Ohio) Central announced his commitment to Ohio State on Saturday, choosing the Buckeyes over Notre Dame, Clemson, Florida, and Ole Miss.

Sonny Styles said that key relationships from the very beginning stood out with Ohio State.

“It was a very difficult decision for me,” Styles said. “I went to so many schools and built many relationships with different coaches. Ultimately, with Ohio State offering me after my first high school game, the relationship was built even before that and I think that was the strongest relationship that I have.”

“Ohio State grants me a unique opportunity to do it at home. Another thing that stands out about Ohio State is that brotherhood aspect. Fighting for four quarters with your brothers is what makes the brotherhood one of my favorite parts of the sport.”

“The environment in Columbus is great,” Styles said. “It feels like home. Being surrounded by elite athletes, students, competing for national championships; what is there not to like about Ohio State?”

Ohio State recruits and develops wide receivers at a very high level, which gives Styles and other defensive backs the opportunity to go against the best every day in practice.

“Going against them is definitely going to make me better,” Styles said. “I saw Jeff Okudah retweet something that said ‘You better come ready to play or you’re going to get burnt all practice’. That is just what it is, the strong will build from it and the weak will coward from it. It’ll show who you really are.”

Styles’ father, Lorenzo, played linebacker at Ohio State from 1991-94, and spent six years in the NFL. Following his footsteps is something that is cool for Sonny, but that wasn’t what his decision was based around. 

“That didn’t really make my decision,” Styles said. “A lot of people think that it did, but it really didn’t. I think it was just a plus, but it is really cool to be able to do that. My dad would’ve been proud wherever I went, he didn’t really have a biased opinion as to where I decided to go. Obviously the same thing with my brother. However, I think he might be a little extra proud of me going where he went and following his legacy.”

Sonny Styles is the Buckeyes third commitment in the 2023 class. He joins Ty Lockwood and Josh Padilla in Ohio State No. 4 recruiting class in the On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Ranking.