A year ago, Sonny Styles was the newcomer in Ohio State’s front six on defense.

Now he’s the only returning starter.

Styles could have followed the entire defensive line and linebacker Cody Simon to the NFL. But like those players did in 2024, Styles chose to return for his senior year.

“I just didn’t feel like I was ready to go yet,” he said Thursday after Ohio State’s sixth spring practice. “I feel like I didn’t reach my ceiling to where I wanted to be in terms of college. Obviously, when you leave here, you want to keep getting better, but I feel like I had more to do here.”

Styles will be a senior, but he’s still only 20 years old. He was supposed to be in OSU’s 2023 recruiting class until he decided to reclassify to the ’22 class. Because of his physical and mental maturity, it proved to be the right move.

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Styles started at safety as a sophomore before moving to linebacker last year. He was instrumental in OSU’s run to the national championship. Styles was second on the team behind Cody Simon with 100 tackles, including 10 ½ for losses and six sacks, in OSU’s two-linebacker scheme.

With only safety Caleb Downs and cornerback Davison Igbinosun returning as starters, Styles is ready to lead.

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“I think he’s the leader of the entire team,” linebackers coach James Laurinaitis said. “He handled himself really well through the entire winter workout period and all that.”

Told of Laurinaitis’ comment, Styles said, “I appreciate him saying that. I think we’ve got a lot of leaders on this team. I just try to carry myself the right way (by) the way I was raised and I’m just trying to instill some of those values in the younger guys. It’s easy to be a leader on this team. We’ve got so many great people.”

Styles, along with offensive lineman Austin Siereveld and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, earned Iron Buckeye status for their offseason conditioning work.

“The longer you’re here, the more you understand the importance of those kind of things,” Styles said. “What Iron Buckeye means is being able to bring your ‘A’ game each and every day despite how you may be feeling outside of this building, and being able to be the guy that someone can look at like, ‘Hey, he’s doing it the right way.’

“It’s not only just you can lift heavy or I can run fast. It’s your character. I’m showing up on time every day. I’m bringing energy every day. I have enthusiasm, I’m excited to be here. I’m pouring into others. I really appreciate that honor.”

Styles seems a lock to be named a captain this summer and it wouldn’t shock anyone if he’s named the “Block O” recipient.

“He’s a vocal guy, and it shows up on the field, too,” said linebacker Arvell Reese, who’s expected to start alongside Styles. “It’s hard to follow after a guy who says something and he’s not on their stuff. Sonny is one of those guys who’s on his stuff, so when he leads, everybody’s listening.”

Styles has filled out to 235 pounds on his 6-foot-4 frame. As to be expected, he’s also more comfortable as a linebacker.

“I feel like I’ve been playing the position for longer than a year, so that’s a good thing,” Styles said.

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Styles cherishes being part of last year’s national championship team, but he, like the other Buckeyes, is ready to turn the page.

“You have to rebuild from step one,” he said. “We won the national championship last year and we can hold onto that forever, but we’ve got to create our own story and start from ground zero.

“I think we have something to prove. We’ve got a little chip on our shoulder.”

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Ohio State football beat writer Bill Rabinowitz can be reached at brabinowitz@dispatch.com or on Bluesky at @billrabinowitz.bsky.social.