The Styles family name already carried a lot of weight in Columbus long before Sonny and Lorenzo Jr. became NFL draft storylines. Now their father, former OSU linebacker Lorenzo Styles, is back in college football, as he joined Eddie George’s Bowling Green staff and reconnected with a Buckeye bond that dates back over three decades.

Lorenzo Styles has officially joined Eddie George’s coaching staff at Bowling Green as a senior analyst for the D-line. The duo shared the field at OSU in the ‘90s on opposite sides of the ball. George is not merely a frontrunner, but also an undeniable Ohio State Heisman icon. Reconnecting with a true Buckeye legend lets Styles merge their shared 1990s standard of toughness with the daily grind of building a modern defense. The 52-year-old former LB didn’t waste time setting the tone in his first statement.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to join such a respected defensive staff,” he said in a statement. “I approach this role with a lot of humility and appreciation for the game, and I’m looking forward to collaborating, developing young men, and helping build a physical, disciplined Falcons defense.”

Stepping into the Mid-American Conference gives Lorenzo Styles a legitimate FBS platform. This is not just a nostalgic reunion but also a Division I battleground where his defensive trench experience will be immediately tested against the gritty MAC offenses.

After a six-year NFL run split between the Atlanta Falcons and the St. Louis Rams, Lorenzo Styles stepped into coaching the trenches of the game. From indoor leagues to college stops like Ohio Dominican, and then a long stretch at Pickerington Central High School, he built his resume the hard way. 

His time at Pickerington Central was also crucial for developing his two sons, both now on the cusp of the NFL. And now that he is stepping into a new coaching role, his sons are stepping onto the biggest stage of their lives.

OSU legend coached his sons from backyard drills to NFL dreams

If you need proof of how impactful a coach he is, look at where his sons are right now. Let’s start with Lorenzo Jr., because his combine performance turned heads across the league. He recorded a 4.27-second 40-yard dash, the fastest at this year’s combine. It’s also the fastest recorded by a safety at the event since at least 2003. He came into college as a WR at Notre Dame, transitioned to DB at OSU, and helped win a national title with his younger brother. 

Sonny Styles, meanwhile, is a projected top-10 pick who finished the combine with a 4.46 40-yard dash, a 43.5-inch vertical, and an 11-foot-2 broad jump. There’s even chatter about the Washington Commanders at No. 7 with draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. already floating him as a “best player available” type selection. 

“My husband has worked with these boys since they were like 4 or 5 years old,” their mother, Laverna, revealed the secret to their development. “They thought they were playing games. They were running outside with parachutes on their back. They were 4 and 5, thinking it was a game, not realizing their dad’s getting them ready for this day today.”

Now, in a matter of months, one Styles is joining a college staff while two others could hear their names called on draft night. Bowling Green should be excited about what’s ahead with Lorenzo Styles in the fold.