The Ohio State Buckeyes are unbeaten and sitting pretty at No. 1 in the College Football Playoff race. Yet there’s a bittersweet note in the locker room. For Sonny Styles and Lorenzo Styles Jr., the season finale also marks the end of their college football journey. Yes, players go different ways after college. But this goodbye stings extra hard because the departing duo are brothers. What do we know more about the duo?

What is the relationship between Sonny Styles and Lorenzo Styles Jr.?

Lorenzo, 23, and Sonny, 21, grew up two years apart but side-by-side as stars at Pickerington Central, the powerhouse just outside Columbus. The sons of former ’90s defender Lorenzo C. Styles took different routes when college came calling, but brotherhood and a little football fate ended up pulling them back into the same story.

After taking different routes, their journeys intersected one final time on November 22, the Senior Day in the Shoe. The No. 1 Buckeyes hosted Rutgers for their last home stand together.

“I would never have thought me and my brother would be walking on the same senior day,” Lorenzo said. “It’s just a blessing. Everything’s coming together how it’s supposed to be.”

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That’s how deep the brothers’ bond runs. It’s fueled by their father’s passion that ultimately pulled them back onto the same field, side by side.

Sonny Styles’ Background, Family & Football Journey

Their father, Lorenzo Styles Sr., starred at linebacker for Ohio State from 1992-94 before spending six seasons in the NFL, and their mother, Laverna, is also an Ohio State alum. With Sonny ranked as Ohio State’s No. 1 prospect in the 2023 class, the Buckeyes naturally sat at the top of his options.

The other heavy hitters were Notre Dame, Clemson, Ole Miss, and Florida. Statistically, Sonny was a force. He finished as Ohio State’s second-leading tackler on last year’s CFP national championship squad, anchoring the nation’s top defense. He started all 16 games, racking up 100 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks.

“Sonny is the ultimate pro,” dropped a praise from linebackers coach James Lauriniatis

This season, Sonny wrapped up with 68 total tackles, 38 solo, 0.5 sacks and five tackles for loss.

Lorenzo Styles Jr.’s Early Life, Family & College Career Path

There were times when the Styles family had to be split up into two halves. 

“They have a plan,” reported ESPN’s Holly Rowe back in 2022. “The mom and women of the family are going to be sitting on the Notre Dame side supporting Lorenzo, and the dad and men of the family are going to sit on the Ohio State side and support Sonny.”

Lorenzo Styles Jr., the elite 2021 wide receiver, committed to Notre Dame. Sonny’s brother picked the Fighting Irish over the Buckeyes. He also held offers from Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin, Penn State, Auburn, Nebraska, among others. 

Back in Notre Dame, in two seasons, Lorenzo wrapped up his chapter, racking up 684 yards for 54 receptions. Then in April 21, 2023, he hit the transfer portal and reunited with Sonny in the Buckeyes camp. 

“It was about finding the best fit for me on the field and then off the field, too,” Lorenzo Jr. said. “I have my family here. I feel like that’s the biggest difference from being at Notre Dame.

Last season, Lorenzo Jr. snagged Ohio State’s Special Teams Player of the Game honors against Western Michigan after delivering two clutch hits. He logged a team-high 23 special teams snaps, setting the tone all afternoon.

Have Sonny Styles and Lorenzo Styles Jr. Ever Played Together?

For Lorenzo Styles Jr., suiting up beside his brother on Senior Day once felt like a long shot. Back when he committed to Notre Dame in 2019 as a junior at Pickerington Central, and Sonny chose to stay home and follow their dad’s legacy at Ohio State a year later, it looked like their college paths were destined to run parallel, not cross. 

But fate had other plans. Fast-forward to 2025, and the once–far-apart brothers were standing side by side at Ohio Stadium, celebrating together on Senior Day. 

Both of them had sweet endings. Sonny Styles racked up five tackles against Rutgers. He anchored a shutout that kept Ohio State’s defense perched at No. 1. Lorenzo played his part, too, helping clamp Rutgers to a clean zero on the scoreboard, a full-family flex on the biggest home stage. That’s how the college football world signed off on another standout brother duo.