You need just one hand to count them all.
Sonny Styles has missed three tackles in two years while starring in the middle of the Ohio State defense, emerging as one of the best players in the 2026 NFL Draft with a stat line that only tells part of his impressive story.
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“Just watching him around the other prospects here this week – and right now they haven’t even stepped on the field – he’s the one you notice,” one NFL scout told NorthJersey.com and The Record. “The vibe he gives off is just, ‘I’m the leader, follow me.'”
ART STAPLETON NFL MOCK DRAFT: Our latest projection on players who will be New York Giants
Styles arrived at the NFL Combine last month somewhat under the radar, given the star power of his Ohio State teammates Vell Reese and Carnell Tate, the edge rusher and wide receiver who had been projected as consensus Top 10 picks.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart points after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart points after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants president John Mara general manager Joe Schoen, Jaxson Dart, and head coach Brian Daboll pose for photos prior to the start of the press conference to introduce the Giants first round draft picks in East Rutherford on April 25.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Feb 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart (QB03) answers questions at a press conference during the 2025 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephanie Amador Blondet-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jan 29, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; American team quarterback Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss (2) throws the ball during Senior Bowl practice for the National team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jan 30, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; American team quarterback Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss (2) throws the ball on the run during Senior Bowl practice for the American team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Oct 12, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) walks on the field against the LSU Tigers during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Apr 25, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, US; New York Giants first round draft picks, Abdul Carter and Jaxson Dart interact after posing for photos prior to the start of the press conference. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Salus-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart meets reporters in East Rutherford, NJ.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Apr 25, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, US; New York Giants first round draft pick, Jaxson Dart, takes questions from the media during his introduction press conference.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Apr 25, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, US; New York Giants first round draft picks, Abdul Carter and Jaxson Dart pose for photos prior to the start of the press conference. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Salus-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
25. Jaxson Dart, QB, NY Giants
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Sep 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Aug 16, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) following the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Sep 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 14: Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants speaks with his parents during pregame warm ups prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Sep 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) looks on during warmups before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart talks at his locker following Friday’s practice.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Sep 7, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) enters the field before the game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 07: Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants looks on prior to a game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on September 07, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) drops back to pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sept. 28, 2025.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Sep 28, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) reacts after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) looks on before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium, Sep 28, 2025, East Rutherford, NJ, USA.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) rushes the ball against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) and running back Cam Skattebo, right, talk before the game against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Nov. 16, 2025.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Oct 26, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart looks on before opening kick off against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 21: Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants and Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots talk after the second half of a NFL Preseason 2025 game between New England Patriots and New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on August 21, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Nov 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) throws pass against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Oct 9, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles of the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) gets ready for the offense to take the field during a week 9 game between New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 09: Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants walks off the field after an injury during the fourth quarter in the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 09, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 28: Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants hands off to Cam Skattebo #44 of the New York Giants against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half in the game during their game at MetLife Stadium on September 28, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Week 10: New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart throws a pass against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Giants wore throwback uniforms from the team’s look during the 1980s and ’90s in the 24-20 loss.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 09: Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants celebrates a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter in the game at Soldier Field on November 09, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 09: Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter in the game at Soldier Field on November 09, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) looks to throw a pass during a week 9 game between New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Oct 26, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) looks on after a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Dec 14, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) enters the field prior to the first quarter against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) looks for an open teammate, Sunday, December 14, 2025.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Dec 14, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) talks with interim head coach Mike Kafka during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
But it was Styles that left the event as the most talked-about prospect on and off the field. He was already wowing people, the New York Giants included, and they came away from their formal interview with the 6-foot-4, 245-pound linebacker extremely impressed, two sources told NorthJersey.com and The Record.
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Giants brass is set to get another closer look at Styles and his Buckeye teammates on Wednesday in Columbus at the Ohio State Pro Day with general manager Joe Schoen and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, among others, expected in attendance.
Sonny Styles #0 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in action against the Indiana Hoosiers in the 2025 Big Ten Football Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The fact that John Harbaugh might be enamored with an inside linebacker is certainly not a surprise.
“That meeting was awesome,” Styles said during his media interview with the Giants at the Combine, namedropping Harbaugh and linebackers coach Frank Bush.
The history in Baltimore at the position during Harbaugh’s 18-year tenure speaks for itself. He had All-Pros in Ray Lewis and C.J. Mosley in the middle of talented defenses. The Ravens also had Patrick Queen, a first-round pick, and when that did not pan out to the level the Ravens hoped, they went and traded for another All-Pro in Roquan Smith.
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The Giants signed Tremaine Edmunds at the position in free agency and brought back Micah McFadden on a one-year deal, but the idea of adding Styles as a game-altering presence on this defense is certainly appealing.
Asked for what he sees in the players at the top of this draft thus far in his evaluation, Harbaugh quipped: “A lot of good players. A lot of good players. I mean, there’s gonna be a great one there at No. 5. I promise you that. It’s gonna be a guy that can really help us be better, for sure. That’s 100%, for sure.”
If there is a constant to the Harbaugh defenses, it’s the man in the middle – and Styles is the best in this class.
“At the end of the day, you just got to get as many good football players that play the way you want to play on the field,” Harbaugh said at the Combine. “You’ve got to put as many good football players as you can out there, so you don’t want to sacrifice a really good player because it’s not a need or a value position. They’re all important. You know? The inside linebacker isn’t always considered a value position, but you can’t stop the run without an inside linebacker making tackles in the middle. Right? You can’t do it. So, you know, that becomes pretty important.”
Ohio State star linebacker Sonny Styles at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
Styles was long considered one of college football’s premier athletes, but last season he emerged as one of the sport’s savviest defenders. He learned how to study offenses and used his versatility and athleticism to adapt to different packages used by former NFL coach and respected defensive mind Matt Patricia, whose unit played off of Styles’ ability to consistently put himself in position to make stops against both the run and pass. His instincts and diagnostic skills were off the charts.
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“I want to show [teams throughout the evaluation process] that I’m aware of what I need to get better at,” said Styles, 21. “I want to show them I’m an intelligent football player and I’m not just a guy that’s just out there running and hitting. That’s part of the game too, but you got to be a smart football player, especially in the NFL and them be able to talk about I think I’m a very versatile linebacker, I think I can do a lot for a defense from that second level.”
Styles can move sideline-to-sideline in coverage while also flashing a strong desire to fill gaps in the run game. He is strong enough in his fundamentals to shed blockers and knows how to match up against running backs, tight ends and receivers alike going back to his safety days.
Ohio State star linebacker Sonny Styles right, speaks with NBC analyst Chris Simms at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
How does a kid named Alex earn the nickname by which he is now commonly referred? A short fuse that led to a fiery temperament as a child prompted his parents to call their oldest son, “Sonny,” after James Caan’s hot-headed Sonny Corleone character in “The Godfather.”
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“He’s imposing at 6-4 and 245 pounds, no question,” one NFL coach said of Styles, who ran a 4.46 at the Combine. “But he moves like he’s 220 and hits like he’s 260.”
The Giants promise they won’t be prisoners of positional value, which opens up their first-round path to placing a priority on football production over traits if all things are equal.
“No matter what pick I go, I do believe I can make a difference, whatever that role may look like,” Styles said. “Whatever club I get to, figure out what my role is and just be a champion at that role. All that takes is being consistent, showing up and working hard each and every day.”
ESPN analyst Jordan Reid sees a lot of 49ers All-Pro Fred Warner in Styles’ game, while the player himself called Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Luke Kuechly as a linebacker someone he idolizes.
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“During the fall, I travel the country and I’m seeing all these players up close,” Reid told NorthJersey.com and The Record. “He’s the most impressive from a physical standpoint that I’ve seen when I was on the road. Just talking about who he could be on the next level and stylistically who he reminds me of, because of how he moves around, is Fred Warner. He only had one missed tackle all of last season, which is hard to fathom. That’s a true MIKE linebacker if there ever was one.”
With Styles and substance, the Giants might be on the verge of welcoming another inside linebacker to the franchise.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: How Sonny Styles would fit with NY Giants if he’s the pick at No. 5