Former Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles and his girlfriend Kaia Henderson stunned at the 2026 NFL draft on Thursday night in Pittsburgh.
Styles — who some thought could go No. 5 overall to the Giants — went at the No. 7 pick to the Commanders.
After the announcement, Styles gave a hug to his parents and family members before sharing a sweet moment with Henderson, giving her a hug and a kiss before making the long walk to the stage.
Styles sported a clean black suit while Henderson matched in a long strapless black dress with a black neck scarf draping down the back.
Styles and Henderson, who plays women’s college basketball at Boston College, have been together since at least early 2022, according to her Instagram.
Henderson, a 5-foot-6 point guard from Utica, N.Y., spent three seasons at Ohio State — where she earned her communications degree in just three years — before transferring to Boston College for the 2025-26 season.
Styles, who played safety his first two seasons at Ohio State, earned first-team All-America honors as a senior after leading the team in tackles with 82 and in solo tackles with 46. He was named a team co-captain as a senior.
He finished his college career with 244 career tackles, including 21.5 TFLs, 9.0 QB sacks and nine pass break-ups.
Henderson made three NCAA Tournament appearances herself, and an appearance in the NCAA Elite Eight in 2022-23 with the Buckeyes.
Styles and Henderson enjoyed some pre-draft events while in Pittsburgh this week, as seen in her Instagram Story posts.
“Can’t wait to see what this week has in store for you,” Henderson wrote, including a photo of the pair holding a football in front of a “class of 2026” backdrop.
They also hit up at Players’ Tribune party and were all smiles in photobooth images.
Styles impressed on the field and at the podium at the this year’s NFL Scouting Combine.
He tied with former Mississippi State wideout Brenan Thompson for the fastest speed in the 40 yard dash, registering 4.47.
His 43.5-inch vertical jump is the best for anyone who is 6-foot-4 or more in combine history.
The second and third rounds of the NFL draft are set for Friday and rounds four through seven taking place Saturday.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
