What to know about Sonny Styles, the former Ohio State linebacker who impressed at the NFL combine

At the NFL combine, teams and fans get their first looks at some of the best prospects available in April's draft. And on Thursday, one name stood out above all: former Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.

Styles, who is projected to be selected No. 12 by the Cowboys in Yahoo Sports' latest mock draft, followed up an 83-tackle season with a historic combine workout. The 21-year-old former safety is also one of the youngest players in the NFL Draft, having reclassified in high school.

As teams prepare for the NFL Draft in 56 days, here's everything you need to know about Styles.

Sonny Styles makes combine history

It'll be hard for other players to make the kind of impact Styles did at the combine.

Styles had a 43.5-inch vertical and a broad jump of 11 feet, 2 inches. His vertical reportedly was only 1.5 inches off the all-time record, and was also reportedly the only person over 240 pounds to clear 43" since 2003. His broad jump reportedly ranks fourth among linebackers at the combine since 1999.

Styles' 4.46 time in the 40-yard dash was tied for the best time of the day with his former teammate Arvell Reese. To put that in perspective, Styles posted the same time as Falcons running back Bijan Robinson despite being bigger. Styles' 92 estimated athletic score on Thursday ranked first among all linebackers.

At 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds, Styles measures up closely to former Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson. He is also bigger than Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf and Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori, and he jumps higher.

Styles' basketball background

If you watched Styles play basketball at Pickerington Central (Ohio), you would not have been surprised by his combine performance. His highlight reel was filled with rim-shaking dunks and blocks off the glass. Styles also played on the same high school team as Buckeyes basketball player Devin Royal.

Styles comes from an athletic family

Styles is the son of former linebacker Lorenzo Styles Sr., who played for the Buckeyes from 1992 to 1994 before embarking on a six-year NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons and St. Louis Rams. He won Super Bowl XXXIV with the Rams.

Styles's older brother, Lorenzo Styles Jr., played alongside him at Ohio State after transferring from Notre Dame. Lorenzo Styles will work out at the NFL combine on Friday with the defensive backs. He was a former kick returner at Ohio State and has a chance to post a faster time than his younger brother.

Ohio State's defense could see several familiar faces called in the draft

Ohio State's defensive firepower made defensive coordinator Matt Patricia's first time coaching college football in 22 years a lot simpler. Reese is expected to be one of the first names taken off the board (he went fourth in Yahoo Sports' latest mock draft). 

Safety Caleb Downs’ combine performance will draw a lot of attention on Friday, with him expected to be one of the first defensive players taken in the draft (No. 5 in Yahoo Sports' mock). Davison Igbinosun is also working out at the combine on Friday.