The Washington Commanders attacked the middle linebacker position in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Ohio State’s Sonny Styles with the seventh overall pick. The Commanders’ first round pick stated that he has modeled his game after a former UCLA Bruin linebacker.
That former Bruin is none other than Carson Schwesinger, who just took home the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2025. Schwesinger made an immediate impact on a good Cleveland Browns’ defense, which is exactly what Styles is looking to do this season with the Commanders.
Schwesinger was one of several linebackers that Styles shouted out during an interview with Kevin Clark earlier this month.
"With our DC coming from Minnesota, we've seen Blake (Cashman). You
know, he's a great player. I think the way he moves around in zone, it's very fluid. He reads the quarterback really well. Underrated in the run game, I think he has a really good feel for, like, where the ball is going. Then you watch guys like Quay Walker, super physical, big guy. Devin Lloyd, super physical. Carson (Schwesinger) from the Browns, he's a high motor, like, super physical, always around the ball."
Ball knower Sonny Styles on which linebackers' tape he watches: Blake Cashman, Quay Walker, Devin Lloyd, Carson Schwesinger.
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) August 18, 2026
Incredible This Is Football from Commanders camp. pic.twitter.com/SWO1B6LRer
Styles led the Buckeyes with seven total tackles in Ohio State’s 48-10 win over UCLA last season. The Buckeyes shut out the UCLA offense in the first half before backup quarterback Luke Duncan mustered 10 points after halftime.
Schwesinger set a high bar for rookie linebackers last season, let’s see if Styles can match his productivity as a rookie this season.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Sonny Styles shouts out former UCLA Bruin Carson Schwesinger
