Sonny Styles talks about joining Commanders, picking No. 52, learning Daronte Jones’ defense and more.

Apr 22, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles during the NFL Draft prospects clinic at Hazelwood Green Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Sonny Styles isin the midst ofsomeNFL firsts. The draft pick came first, made by Washington at No. 7 overall, followed by the adorned Commanders hat and the Roger Goodell hug. Then came the introductory press conferenceandFriday'sformallysignedrookiecontract.

The firstprofessional practicecame later that afternoon, where he adorned the burgundy and gold No. 52 forthe first time.

It just felt right," Styles told on-site reporters during a Friday press conference. It was like it was meant to be."

Cornerback Mike Saniristil had the No. 0 he wore at Ohio State,but Stylesdidn'task for it. Hewasn'tconcerned much about that.

I'm not abig numberguy," Styles said. Iwasn'tbig into single digits; I liked No. 0. Mikey has zero, so I was telling Coach(Ken)Norton that, when Ilookinto the room, with London Fletcher(No. 59)on the wall, LaVar Arington(No. 56)and I think Ken Harvey(No. 57)and Monte Coleman(No. 51), and it was all like50snumbers. I wasgonnatake a 50 number, and growing up I would watch Patrick Willis, Ray Lewis,and I thoughtNo. 52 would be cool. Then my dad(pointed out that)five plus two is seven, which was the number of my draft pick.I thought it was pretty cool.That'show I landed on it. Ididn'thave a special number or whatever."

Sonny Styles with a cool story on why he chose 52...

Referenced seeing London, LaVar, Harvey & Coleman on the wall, also watched Patrick Willis & Ray Lewis growing up... and his dad pointed out...

5+2 = 7 (picked 7th overall)@JPFinlayNBCS@MlinaresDC#Commanders#RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/Q69WWlCe1o

- NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) May 8, 2026

All this new will continue well into training camp and into the regular season, whenhe'llmake his first NFL tackle and his first game-changing play. There's work ahead before that happens, from learning new coordinator Daronte Jones' scheme to the prospect of earning the green dot ason-field defensive play caller.

That'sa possibility even as arookie. Head coach Dan Quinn saidhe'lllet someone earn it time, by performance under stress - sometimes Quinn purposelywon'tsend in a play call to see how a player reacts - leadership and what he calls real-time processing."

Quinn said Styles will be among the inside linebackers learning bothpositions, but there's tons of install,teachingand processing to be done before scheme mastery is expected. Styles went through some 2025 Vikings defensivefilm - Jones worked under Vikings coordinator Brian Flores last season - but is just getting into the Commanders playbook. The coaches will let him crawl before he walks andwalkbefore he runs,but there's time for that process to play out.

The two inside linebacker spots have similarities, but there's also some nuances," Quinn said in his Friday presser. During the course of the spring and in training camp, we'llworkhim and some other guys at both of the spots.There'sa lot that he can do. And like all the players,we'regoing to try to do the best we can to put him in the spots, to really allow them to do their thing, you know, at full speed and ata highlevel.A lot of times thattakesall the way through camp as well. So,there'sno limits on what I think he can become, butI'mgoing to let thewhole processreally play all the way through becausethere'sa lot to go over."

Styles nevershiedfrom work, not as a defensive back and not since transitioning to linebacker.

The more reps you have, the better you get," Styles said. This is my third year atlinebackerand I want to keep growing at an exponential rate. I had great coaching in college.I'mgoing to have great coaching here as well.I'mgoing to keep gettingbetter and better."