Sonny Styles, a top NFL prospect from Ohio State, revealed that his nickname was inspired by the iconic film “The Godfather.” The moniker reflects his fiery temperament as a youth and has stuck with him throughout his career, resonating especially after his standout performance at the NFL Combine.
Over recent days, Sonny (born Alex Styles) has firmly established himself as a potential top-five choice in the 2026 NFL Draft due to an impressive Combine showing. While he did not beat his brother Lorenzo Jr.’s blazing 40-yard dash, Sonny made history by setting the highest vertical leap ever recorded by a linebacker.
Family Rivalry and the Birth of the Nickname
During an interview with NFL Network’s Stacey Dales, Sonny’s mother Laverna Styles explained the nickname’s origin, linking it to Sonny’s competitive and quick-tempered nature. The brothers’ rivalry often saw Sonny reacting intensely to losses against Lorenzo.
Laverna said,
“He had such a hot temper, so we named him after Sonny from The Godfather because when him and little Lorenzo would get into an argument, he would get so mad,”
adding,
“He could go from zero to 10 in the blink of an eye, so his nickname became Sonny.”
Sonny Styles Reflects on His Youthful Hotheadedness
In a discussion with CBS Sports’ Ran Carthon and Ryan Wilson, Sonny acknowledged he was somewhat of a “hot head” as a child, which contributed to the fitting nature of his nickname.
He explained,
“When I was a kid, I was a little bit of a hot head, like four, three, five. So he started calling me that, and it kind of just stuck. So everyone calls me that now.”
Sonny further admitted,
“When I was younger, especially, my brother got the worst of it. I was so annoying as a little brother, just always getting mad. He’d beat me in a video game, I’m slamming a controller at six years old.”
Reconnecting With the Name Through Film
Although Sonny has embraced the nickname for most of his life, he only recently revisited the movie that inspired it. Reflecting on this, he said,
“I just watched it recently again, sometime in the past few months,”
calling it “an awesome movie.”
Record-Breaking NFL Combine Performance
Contrary to what his nickname might imply, Sonny displayed remarkable composure and athleticism at this year’s NFL Combine. His 43.5-inch vertical jump is the highest recorded since 2003 for any player standing 6-foot-4 or taller and weighing over 240 pounds, according to analyst Warren Sharp.
Additionally, Sonny’s 40-yard dash time of 4.46 seconds demonstrated impressive speed for his size, albeit not surpassing his brother Lorenzo’s 4.27 seconds—the fastest 40-yard dash posted by any defensive player at the Combine.
The Styles siblings also achieved a rare feat, becoming
“the first brothers to run the fastest 40-yard dashes of their position groups at the same Combine since 2003,”
according to NFL Plus.
Implications for the NFL Draft and Future Prospects
Sonny Styles’ remarkable Combine results not only underscore his physical potential but also solidify his status as a premier NFL prospect heading into the 2026 Draft. His combination of size, explosiveness, and proven competitiveness positions him to become a household name in professional football.
As scouts and teams analyze his unique blend of talent and temperament, Sonny’s progress carries significance beyond individual accolades, indicating a promising NFL career ahead, especially when viewed alongside his brother Lorenzo’s rising profile.
