At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles delivered an impressive performance by winning a 40-yard dash race against Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton. This eye-catching display highlighted Styles’s speed and athleticism, generating buzz among NFL scouts and fans alike.
Detailed 40-Yard Dash Results from the Combine
Sonny Styles officially recorded a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, marking one of the fastest times among linebackers at the event. In close comparison, Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday clocked a 4.62-second dash, while Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Jacob Rodriguez posted a 4.57-second run.
Other notable performances included Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Karson Sharar at 4.56 seconds, Texas Longhorns linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. at 4.51 seconds, and Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Kyle Louis at 4.53 seconds. TCU Horned Frogs linebackers Kaleb Elarms-Orr and Namdi Obiazor also impressed with times of 4.47 and 4.53 seconds respectively.
Comprehensive Workouts from Key Defensive Players
Aside from the dash events, full on-field workouts showcased the versatility and skills of several linebackers and edge rushers. Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, whose speed matched Styles’s with an official 4.46-second 40-yard dash, displayed agility and strength during drills. Cincinnati Bearcats’ Jake Golday and Texas A&M Aggies’ edge rusher Cashius Howell demonstrated solid combine workouts as well.
Auburn Tigers edge rusher Keldric Faulk and Clemson Tigers’ T.J. Parker added to the pool of talented defensive players, each completing rigorous drills that tested endurance, technique, and explosiveness.
Standout Physical Feats Beyond the 40-Yard Dash
Sonny Styles also achieved a remarkable 43.5-inch vertical leap, the highest recorded on the combine day and the best among all prospects standing 6-foot-4 or taller since 2003. This vertical jump enhanced his draft profile, emphasizing his explosive power and athletic potential on the field.
Insights from Interviews and Scout Evaluations
Following his performance, Styles was interviewed by senior national reporter Stacey Dales, highlighting the significance of his 40-yard dash result and its impact on his draft stock. Also present at the combine was New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore, who reflected on his own combine experience from 2012 while discussing current prospects with NFL Network hosts Rich Eisen and Daniel Jeremiah.
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales joined the interview panel to analyze what qualities teams seek in upcoming draft picks, underscoring the importance of combine performances in shaping NFL careers as he outlined plans to build on the Panthers’ 2025 season.
Other Notable Running Back and Linebacker Performances
Additional players who left a mark during the combine’s speed tests included BYU Cougars linebacker Jack Kelly and Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Justin Jefferson, recording respective dash times of 4.57 seconds. Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. ran a solid 4.63-second 40-yard dash, rounding out a strong field of competitors.
Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke posted a 4.62-second dash, while Texas Tech Red Raiders edge rusher David Bailey showed agility and stamina throughout his workout sessions, strengthening his draft prospects.
Rising Prospects Aim to Capitalize on Combine Momentum
The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine has become a decisive platform for players like Sonny Styles and others to elevate their status ahead of the NFL Draft. Styles’s dual display of speed and explosive athleticism positions him as an intriguing candidate for teams seeking a dynamic linebacker. Similarly, the efforts of athletes such as CeeDee Lamb, Jake Golday, and others reflect the intensifying competition at the linebacker and edge-rusher positions.
As NFL franchises evaluate these results, the coming months will reveal how this combine performance influences draft decisions and team strategies heading into the new season.
