In many facets of the game, football is about relationships. It’s not very often that a player will remain on one team in their whole career, and even those who do have some new teammates every year. Coaches will travel far and wide to different teams as they rise up the coaching ranks or seek new opportunities. There’s plenty of people that those in the football world meet along the way, and that’s why the acquaintance between Ohio State inside linebacker Sonny Styles and Bucs head coach Todd Bowles is a unique one.

Sonny Styles had a formal meeting with the Bucs while at the NFL Combine, but that wouldn’t be the first time that Styles and Bowles would be meeting — if Bowles was in attendance for it. They actually met years ago when Bowles’ son Troy was getting recruited by Ohio State, with Styles helping the recruitment process for the family.

Ohio State ILB Sonny Styles – Photo by: Kirby Lee – IMAGN Images

“Coach Bowles is awesome,” Styles said. “I actually met him in recruiting when his son was getting recruited to come to Ohio State. He’s a great man, so I’m excited to talk to him (again).

“It was just cool. At the time I believe he was defensive coordinator. I just remember he was a good man. His son was very nice, too. I like him as well.”

Troy Bowles ended up going to the University of Georgia for two seasons and then eventually transferred to Styles’ rival school, Michigan, where he currently plays for the Wolverines.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

Although the recruitment was unsuccessful at the time for Styles, now the shoe is somewhat on the other foot as it’s Todd Bowles who would love to have Styles play for his team. When Styles thought about what it’d be like to play for the Bucs he replied:

“That would be awesome. They’re a great team.”

Sonny Styles Is A Great Fit For Todd Bowles And The Bucs

Sonny Styles has taken the Combine by storm with a fantastic showing at the Combine. He’s scored a 10.0 out of 10.0 on the RAS score, which is ranked 1st out of 3,215 inside linebackers who have competed from 1987 to 2026. His 4.46 40-yard dash time has tied him with his Ohio State teammate Arvell Reese for the fastest time thus far this year.

And according to Eric Edholm of NFL.com, he’s the only player since 2003 to run under 4.5 at the 40 who also had a vertical of 40+ and a broad jump of 11+ all while weighing over 230 pounds. He’s been called an athletic freak before and he’s living up to the billing with this all-time performance.

And that’s only half the reason why he’s a fantastic fit for the Bucs. He can play anywhere as an inside linebacker, which Tampa Bay desperately needs. Plus, he played a ton in pass coverage at Ohio State last season.

Ohio State ILB Sonny Styles – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Raymond Carlin III

“I think it starts with being a versatile linebacker,” Styles said. “I think I can play the MIKE, WILL, SAM (positions). I can do all three at a high level. I think I’m a very athletic player and I think that shows up in my game. I showed this last year that I was able to be a true MIKE, I showed I can stop the run. I showed some physicality this year. The upside of it, I think I can be a lot more affective in zone coverage as I keep working that part of my game. I’ve shown I can feel routes and things like that,  especially this past year. With my athleticism, I should be a real threat in zone drops.

Styles started out as a safety for the Buckeyes. He moved to inside linebacker not exactly becasue he wanted to, but becasue it was best for the team.

“I remember when I made the decision going into the spring of my Junior year,” Styles recalled. “I’m glad I did it. At the time I was doing it, I was trying to help the team. I felt like that was the best spot for us to win and I felt like it was a spot I could do well at, but most importantly help the team. In the long run it worked out and I’m glad it did.

That’s just one example of his leadership qualities.

“I think first and foremost I lead by example, I show up and do the right thing every day,” he said. “Try and lead guys in the right direction. Second, I’m a big relationship guy. I like to build relationships with my teammates. Then when things go wrong you’re able to have a conversation with them and you guys have that relationship, so you’re able to talk.”

Ohio State ILB Sonny Styles – Photo by: Adam Cairns – IMAGN Images

Todd Bowles values high IQ players a ton. He’s spoken perviously about players such as Tykee Smith being rookies but not playing like one because of their football intelligence. That’s exactly what Styles brings and what Bowles is looking for.

Tampa Bay definitely needs more than one inside linebacker. If Styles is there at 15 — which now looks nearly impossible — he’s a player who the Bucs can plug and play immediately.

“I want to show them that I’m aware of what I need to get better at,” Styles said. “I want to show that I’m an intelligent football player. 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. I think I’m a very versatile linebacker, I think I can do a lot for a defense from that second level.”