Sonny Styles Says He Has A Great Understanding Of The Defense
Sonny Styles Media Availability November 15, 2023
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00:00 Obviously, the length went down, that hurt us, so
00:02 I had to kind of step up and play that boundary safety.
00:04 So going from 30 plays to 70 plays, that's a little bit of an adjustment.
00:08 But I think I did fine.
00:10 I think it's just all about how you prepare, take care of your body and
00:13 recovering after the game.
00:14 So I mean, my body feels good, but scheme wise, it's pretty similar for me.
00:19 You're just relating the two, one to the field, one to the boundary.
00:23 The similar pressures, things like that.
00:24 So it wasn't that big of a jump for me or too big of a difference.
00:28 But I mean, it was definitely a bigger role.
00:30 I think it was a little bit, especially when Proctor went down,
00:31 I think it was a little bit of me trying to step up and
00:34 be more of a leader as well in the secondary.
00:37 >> Yeah, you're the old guy.
00:38 >> [LAUGH] >> What's up, man?
00:39 >> Yeah, it's funny to say that.
00:41 Yeah, with Proctor and Latham going down the one week,
00:43 that's kind of what it felt like.
00:44 I had to step up a little bit.
00:45 Obviously, Denzel and IGB, those are leaders in our secondary, but
00:49 I feel like I had to step up for the safety room and be a leader.
00:52 >> The timing you spent playing in the spring, did that help you?
00:59 >> Yeah, I've always been kind of familiar with all three spots.
01:01 Last year, during the season, even though I wasn't playing,
01:04 I was still learning all three and playing all three in practice.
01:07 So it really gave me a great understanding of the defense, and
01:09 I'm still able to process and execute each position.
01:13 >> When you were playing near, if you're playing nickel, near the ball,
01:16 there's a lot of things about your game that seemed to really translate.
01:20 You're well-lamed, so you're suggestible, all that stuff.
01:22 What do you think still translates well to Bannon?
01:25 >> I think at Bannon, you saw it a lot with Latham, on those dirty shorts where he's
01:28 just shooting the gap or things like that.
01:30 And I think you've seen it with me a little bit too.
01:32 You're in the fit a lot.
01:33 They asked the Bannon, whatever, in cover three, whatever it is,
01:35 you're in the fit a lot.
01:37 So I feel like you get a chance to show your run-stopping ability.
01:41 And also being able to, you can still play curl flat in the boundaries,
01:44 just like you do to the field.
01:45 You can play a hook, you can play a half, like you do to the field.
01:48 So like I said, I feel like it's pretty similar.
01:49 You get to show similar attributes.
01:51 I think the field, you just get more space.
01:54 It's obviously a field pressure, so
01:56 it's a little different than a boundary pressure.
01:57 >> [INAUDIBLE]
02:07 >> Yeah, I think it really helps.
02:11 Jordan's a really good player.
02:12 Like you said, he's able to cover well at the corner, and
02:14 then he's able to get in the run fit when he needs to.
02:16 So I think it was really big, the amount of depth we've had on the secondary.
02:21 Malik had a step up for Proctor when he went down.
02:24 He executed, did well.
02:25 So I think we got a lot of guys who are game ready, ready to play.
02:28 >> So you guys are undefeated.
02:30 You've been at the top of the rankings all year.
02:32 But we know the previous two seasons not beat Michigan.
02:35 The season's the end.
02:36 I'm not talking about the Michigan game, just where this team is mentally.
02:41 Where the way you guys have sort of handled your business through this season
02:45 to this point.
02:46 What's been the attitude?
02:48 >> I think the attitude has been it's about us each game.
02:49 We know what it felt like to come up short last year.
02:54 And I think we've made a big emphasis on not leaving anything out on the field.
02:58 Don't leave that play where all you had to do was stay outside, and
03:01 then you went inside and now it's a touchdown.
03:03 Things like that.
03:04 And then just going as hard as you can.
03:06 So as a defense especially, I think we've just been really emphasizing
03:09 eliminating explosives on our mistakes.
03:13 We can't give them free play.
03:14 If they're gonna make a play, they gotta go earn that.
03:17 You know what I'm saying?
03:17 If that makes sense.
03:18 >> Jordan was saying, when we see you there in the offseason,
03:21 you guys are gonna give up an explosive play in practice.
03:23 You guys have the run.
03:25 >> Yeah, it's something with the DBs.
03:27 Give up a touchdown or any kind of explosive play on third down especially.
03:30 We do a little gas here.
03:31 Just kind of a reminder of how huge those are.
03:34 Cuz I think you get in the games, those explosive plays, they can kill you.
03:38 We talk about five or less explosive plays, you're probably gonna win the game.
03:42 So I mean, that's a really big emphasis we're trying to do.
03:44 Just eliminate those explosives, especially the ones that are our mistakes.
03:47 Where you're just not doing your job, or you're supposed to be this leverage, and
03:51 now you're inside leverage, things like that.
03:53 >> What would all the DBs run?
03:56 >> Yes, most of the time they do that.
03:57 >> Do you think, I mean, like obviously,
04:01 scheme matters, matchups matter, but like that mindset, it's off the table?
04:06 >> Yeah, I think it definitely matters.
04:07 I mean, obviously, you got the X nodes, you got all the schemes.
04:09 But I mean, the players gotta go out there, and you gotta execute.
04:12 And you gotta go hard, you gotta play for each other.
04:14 I mean, I feel like the best teams that win the national championship,
04:16 they have this kind of brotherhood.
04:17 I feel like you can feel it when they're playing.
04:19 >> Sonny, what's been the biggest difference for
04:21 you between playing strong safety versus playing nickel?
04:23 >> I honestly think it's pretty similar.
04:27 I think the only difference, the big difference was you get more coverage in
04:30 space playing nickel.
04:32 But I mean, you still get coverage in the slot in the boundary.
04:35 It's just a little less space.
04:36 But like I said before, I think they're pretty similar.
04:38 It's not too big an adjustment for me.
04:40 >> Give me an example of a play you've made from the last several weeks where
04:44 you kinda go, yeah, that's what it's all about.
04:46 You understand what I'm saying?
04:47 I mean, that's what it's supposed to feel like.
04:50 >> What do you mean by that?
04:51 >> Meaning you're out there and you're just reacting and playing your spot.
04:54 I mean, you've been asked to do a lot of things in this defense.
04:57 >> Have you had that feeling yet?
05:04 >> I mean, yeah, I try to feel like that every play.
05:07 I don't know.
05:08 I don't get too excited about any one play.
05:09 So I kinda understand what you mean.
05:12 Just plays like we're just playing like we're playing Notre Dame on the fourth
05:15 down stop, like I'm playing to the front side.
05:18 Yeah, I'm just playing football and I ended up flowing back to make the play with
05:22 Latham in the backside, see that.
05:24 So things like that, I think that's where I feel like I'm at my best,
05:26 where I'm just playing and just playing football and not trying to overthink.
05:29 >> Sonny, I saw a tweet, I think it was today, from PFF saying,
05:33 you are the top graded run defender in the nation.
05:36 Would you agree with that assessment?
05:37 >> I don't really pay attention to that stuff.
05:40 I try to make sure I make my tackles, do my best and do what I'm coached to do.
05:45 >> Do you miss basketball this time of year?
05:47 >> A little bit.
05:48 I watched the Ohio State men's team, they look pretty good.
05:50 But yeah, I got Devin Royal, so we went to the same high school.
05:54 So he's looking good.
05:55 But yeah, I miss it a little bit, but I know I'm playing what I'm supposed to be
05:58 playing.
05:59 [LAUGH] >> When the call comes in off the sideline,
06:02 blitz, you're gonna be in a blitz.
06:04 Do your eyes light up?
06:05 >> Yeah.
06:06 >> I mean, it seems when you really, what is that like when you see that?
06:10 >> I mean, I love those calls.
06:11 I mean, our D line's so good, so it makes it pretty, opens it up for me.
06:15 A lot of times you see me shooting those guys, making the tackle for losses.
06:19 Our D line's so good, they're not worried, they're not even thinking about me.
06:21 So yeah, I get super excited when coach knows those calls.
06:25 >> Is that your favorite part of the game, when you're playing in the box?
06:28 >> Yeah, I like to be up in the run.
06:29 Those third and shorts, being able to stop the dude one yard short,
06:33 things like that.
06:34 I really like that.
06:34 But I really like zone, being able to just sit and read the quarterback and
06:38 feel routes and just react.
06:40 I mean, I enjoy that as well.