Top NFL Prospect Was Actually Named After “The Godfather” Character
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The 2026 NFL Combine has presented fans with plenty of stories. From 327-pound Caleb Banks running an insane 40-yard dash time to Diego Pavia revealing he is receiving advice from Johnny Manziel, this year’s combine has drawn a lot of attention.
In one of those bizarre stories, the mother of Ohio State’s Sonny Styles revealed that the linebacker prospect was named after a “The Godfather” movie. The linebacker’s mother spoke to the NFL Network, revealing that his actual name was “Alex.”
His family nicknamed him “Sonny” due to his “fiery” temper, which reminded them of Sonny Corleone from the successful trilogy.
Sonny Styles’s real name is Alex. Sonny is a nickname.
Sonny Styles’s mom shared this on NFL Network:
“His temper was so fiery, so as a child we nicknamed him Sonny, after Sonny from The Godfather.”
DRAFT THIS KID. pic.twitter.com/zgF1FTiOwd
— Anthony Rivardo (@Anthony_Rivardo) February 28, 2026
Sonny Styles spent his four-year college career with the Ohio State Buckeyes. He moved from safety to linebacker in 2024, unlocking his potential. He left college with 245 tackles, nine passes defended, nine sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception for five yards.
Sonny Styles Made A Strong Impression At 2026 NFL Combine
The Ohio State product became one of the biggest risers on NFL draft boards after a successful time at the combine. He showed elite speed with a 4.46 40-yard dash.
He was a Second-Team All-Pro in 2024, the year he helped the Buckeyes win the national championship. Styles continued to impress in 2025, earning All-Big Ten and All-American honors thanks to 83 tackles, three passes defended, one sack, one forced fumble and one interception.
His father, Lorenzo Styles, played six seasons in the NFL, winning a Super Bowl with the Rams in 1999.
