Sonny Styles expected to debut as a starting linebacker on the weak side.
It was where he had largely lined up since first moving from safety in spring practice.
But when Cody Simon was held out of Ohio State’s season-opening victory over Akron with an unspecified injury, it prompted a change in plans. Styles took over as the starting middle linebacker, also known as the Mike.
“I have a pretty good grasp and knowledge of the defense,” Styles said, “so it wasn’t a super hard switch for me.”
The biggest adjustment last Saturday involved hearing play calls from defensive coordinator Jim Knowles through a speaker in his helmet, part of the new coach-to-player communication that debuted this year.
As the starting middle linebacker, Simon had the most time to familiarize himself with the device in preseason practices. Only one player on the field can be fitted with one.
“I thought it was a solid day,” Styles said. “I thought I did pretty good with.”
Styles said they only had one slip-up in the Buckeyes’ 52-6 win, a situation when he heard a call late and a bit of confusion ensued before the snap.
“It got a little hectic,” Styles said, “because everyone’s looking at you, ‘What’s the call? What’s the call?”
Teammates praised Styles for his communication as he relayed the calls from Knowles.
“He came in ready,” defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau said. “He was prepared. We had no trouble getting the calls, and when we did, he helped keep the defense in one piece and not let us get all out of place. He ran the show and did a great job.”
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Styles has shown positional versatility at Ohio State since graduating a year early from Pickerington Central High School in 2022.
He started last season as the nickel safety before switching to strong safety when Lathan Ransom suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury.
Having to juggle multiple safety positions prepared him for adapting to multiple spots at linebacker.
“When I was at safety, I knew how to play all three,” he said. “I took the same mindset when I moved to linebacker.”
Styles, who racked up six tackles against the Zips, could remain as the middle linebacker this week against Western Michigan if Simon does not return.
While Simon has practiced this week, coach Ryan Day on Wednesday night stopped short of saying he would be available against the Broncos, remarking only that he was “day to day.”
Until last week, most of Styles’ preparation for playing middle linebacker had come off the field. He said he had not taken many reps at the position in practices.
Most of his reps had been mental ones, observing Simon in the role from the sideline after rotating off the field.
“I’m just taking note what the Mike’s doing all the time,” he said.
When Day has sat in on linebacker meetings, he has noticed Styles’ participation.
“He’s answering the questions,” Day said. “He’s very, very involved with everything that goes on.”
In other instances, Styles has reviewed additional film with linebackers coach James Laurinaitis.
The dedication paid off as he adjusted to another role.
“It shows the work that he’s putting in off the field that nobody sees,” Day said.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @joeyrkaufman or email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com.
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