Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese set a new standard for Ohio State linebackers

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The 2025 Ohio State defense featured thing typical astatine linebacker – possibly thing we whitethorn not spot again for a generation. In Sonny Styles and Arvel Reese, nan Buckeyes deployed arguably nan astir ascendant linebacker tandem successful modern programme history, a duo that not only earned All-American honors but now guidelines poised to make historical effect successful nan NFL Draft.

“And now we’re sitting successful this business for illustration I don’t cognize man could Arll spell 4 and I don’t cognize who has nan 4th prime but Arll spell 4 and Sunny spell 13 first half of nan first information linebackers. That’s crazy,” Andrew Gillis marveled connected nan latest Buckeye Talk podcast.

What makes their emergence peculiarly singular is nan unsocial way each took to dominance. Styles arrived astatine Ohio State arsenic a five-star information who reclassified to subordinate a twelvemonth early. After playing information his first play and transitioning to linebacker successful 2024, he exploded successful 2025 arsenic a versatile limb who could cover, tackle successful space, and unreserved nan passer.

Reese, meanwhile, wasn’t a five-star imaginable but developed into an elite talent. His travel included a little detour to nan protect statement room earlier returning to linebacker and evolving into a game-wrecking force. By nan extremity of 2025, he was a statement All-American while Styles earned first-team honors connected 1 All-American team.

Together, they formed a tandem that opponents had nary reply for – complementary pieces pinch different strengths but likewise devastating impact. Their beingness allowed Ohio State’s defense to beryllium nan backbone of nan squad passim overmuch of nan season.

“I consciousness for illustration nan linebacker room has been building towards what they had successful 2025 for 4 aliases 5 years here,” Stephen Means said. “Is that adjacent to opportunity each azygous twelvemonth this mightiness beryllium nan champion linebacker tandem they’ve had successful nan past 25 years? So are we conscionable expecting each twelvemonth they’re going to propulsion retired Arll Reese and Sunny Styles...”

That’s nan mobility now facing nan Buckeyes: Was this level of linebacker excellence a culmination that represents a generational peak, aliases tin Ohio State support this modular moving guardant nether linebackers coach James Laurinaitis?

Gillis leans toward nan former: “I deliberation this is much nan highest alternatively than nan start. But for illustration I don’t know... You’ve sewage 2 apical half of nan first information level players. One of them mightiness spell for illustration apical 5 and past nan different 1 is astir apt going to spell for illustration apical 16.”

However, he quickly added an important caveat: “And nan point pinch a highest is that it doesn’t person to beryllium for illustration you commencement astatine nan bottommost up up up up highest down down down. You could I don’t know. You could still spot nan highest from 10 ft lower.”

That’s wherever nan optimism lies for 2026 and beyond. While replacing 2 first-round talents is impossible, Ohio State has promising young linebackers waiting successful nan wings. Peyton Pierce showed flashes of brilliance, including a important forced fumble against Miami. Riley Pettigan made effect plays connected typical teams and scored a touchdown.

The semipermanent outlook is further brightened by nan beingness of Laurinaitis, who has quickly established himself arsenic possibly nan program’s astir important adjunct coach. A three-time All-American linebacker himself astatine Ohio State, Laurinaitis brings credibility, improvement skills, and recruiting prowess to nan position.

“With Brian Hartline stepping retired nan door, for illustration location is an constituent of for illustration James is for illustration nan dude connected nan unit who for illustration knows Ohio State, for illustration gets Ohio State, knows what it’s for illustration to play astatine Ohio State,” Gillis explained.

So while nan Styles-Reese tandem whitethorn correspond a once-in-a-generation peak, nan linebacker position astatine Ohio State appears to beryllium successful tin hands. The modular has been group extraordinarily high, and now it’s up to nan adjacent procreation to spot really adjacent they tin travel to matching it.

Here’s nan podcast for this week:

• Will Ohio State suffer Jeremiah Smith to nan transportation portal? The Buckeyes’ prima reveals nan answer
• Ohio State has mislaid a 5-star enlistee and imaginable 2026 starter to nan transportation portal
• Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate declares for 2026 NFL Draft
• Ohio State’s renewed multimedia authorities woody could beryllium largest of its benignant successful assemblage athletics: Report