Ohio State's Sonny Styles, versatile and smart, begins his NFL Draft journey at the combine

The former Buckeye linebacker will be one of the top defensive players in this year's NFL Draft.

Sonny Styles does an interview with CBS Sports at the NFL Combine on Wednesday in Indianapolis. (Photo by Doug Lesmerises)

INDIANAPOLIS — James Laurinaitis sent Sonny Styles a text two years ago, when Styles was between his sophomore and junior years at Ohio State, and beginning his move from safety to linebacker.

“You’re going to be a first-round pick,” Laurinaitis, then entering his first season as OSU’s linebackers coach, said.

Styles didn’t believe it at the time. Shoot, there was probably a time before that when Styles wasn’t even sure which position would be on his league-issued sweatsuit, the one players wear at the NFL Scouting Combine. On Wednesday, that outfit said “LB” on the chest in neon yellow lettering. In two months’ time, Styles will be a first-round pick.