Ohio State safety Lorenzo Styles Jr. selected in NFL draft 5th round

We just saw the ninth Ohio State player drafted, and there are still a couple of rounds to go. Lorenzo Styles Jr. saw his name go off the board to realize his dream when he was selected in the fifth round by the New Orleans Saints with the No. 172 pick.

Styles was an excellent safety for the Buckeyes . He started his college football career as a wide receiver for Notre Dame , but he transferred to Ohio State and then switched to the defensive side of the ball. He was a solid safety for the Buckeyes, but apparently not outstanding enough to wow the NFL scouts.

He was effective enough at Ohio State, and he's appealing for a couple of reasons. First of all, Styles showed his versatility as a returner for the Buckeyes this year, including  a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown against UCLA . It gives NFL teams another potential way to use him.

More importantly, Styles wowed the scouts with a 4.27 40-yard dash at the  NFL Combine . That's speed you just can't teach or coach. Speed like that is always useful, on any side of the ball, right New Orleans?

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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State safety Lorenzo Styles Jr. gets selected in 2026 NFL draft