With the 2026 NFL Draft fast approaching, Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt has officially declared himself "all-in" on two of the most polarizing and physically gifted prospects in the class: Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles and Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. Following a week of record-breaking performances at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Klatt argues that these two Big Ten stars have solidified their status as early-round locks, albeit for very different reasons. While Styles has redefined the athletic ceiling for the linebacker position, Cooper is riding the momentum of a historic national championship run with the Hoosiers.

For Sonny Styles, the move from safety to linebacker during his time with the Ohio State Buckeyes has transitioned from a tactical experiment to a masterstroke of player development. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 244 pounds, Styles left scouts speechless last week by clocking a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and recording a staggering 43.5-inch vertical jump. Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis has been vocal about the defender's upside, describing him as "scary" because he is still learning the intricacies of the position. "You're not getting a fully formed guy yet," Laurinaitis noted, which suggests that Styles’ NFL ceiling might be even higher than his already elite college production.

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The "National Champion" Pedigree of Omar Cooper Jr.

While Styles anchors the defensive side of the conversation, Indiana Hoosiers standout Omar Cooper Jr. is being hailed as the premier "yards-after-catch" weapon in the 2026 class. Cooper was a vital cog in Indiana's perfect 16-0 season, which saw the Hoosiers capture their first-ever National Championship after defeating Miami in a thriller at Hard Rock Stadium. During that 2025 campaign, Cooper hauled in 69 receptions for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns, serving as the primary target for Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Klatt’s analysis mirrors that of several NFL scouts who have compared Cooper to veteran playmaker Deebo Samuel. At 6-foot-0 and 200 pounds, Cooper possesses a rare combination of lower-body strength and "crisp" route running that allows him to thrive in the slot. Projections currently have him landing in the late first round, with the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns emerging as potential destinations for a player who recorded a missed-tackle rate of 39% during his college career.

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Ohio State and Indiana: A Tale of Two Programs

The rise of these two prospects comes as their respective programs navigate very different waters in March 2026. The Ohio State Buckeyes officially opened spring practice this morning, with head coach Ryan Day welcoming over 50 newcomers to the roster as they look to replace NFL-bound stars like Styles and receiver Carnell Tate. Despite a dominant 2025 defensive season that saw them lead the nation in several impact categories, the Buckeyes are still reeling from a 24-14 Cotton Bowl loss to Miami and are desperate to regain their Big Ten crown.

Conversely, Indiana enters spring camp next week as the undisputed kings of college football. Under the guidance of Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers have transformed from a perennial underdog into a powerhouse that is expected to see multiple players—including Cooper and Mendoza—selected in the first round of the upcoming draft. As the Hoosiers prepare for their title defense, the departure of Cooper leaves a massive void in a receiving corps that must now integrate a top-10 transfer class to stay atop the rankings.

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Final Draft Outlook: Could Styles Go Top 5?

As draft boards continue to shift, the consensus among analysts like Klatt is that Sonny Styles has positioned himself to be the first linebacker off the board, potentially as high as the No. 2 overall pick to the New York Jets. His spatial IQ and coverage ability, remnants of his days as a safety, make him a unicorn in a league that increasingly values versatility. Meanwhile, Cooper's stock continues to rise as teams look for polished, pro-ready receivers who can contribute on day one.

Whether it is Styles’ freakish athleticism or Cooper’s championship-tested reliability, both players represent the best of what the Big Ten has to offer in 2026. For fans of the Buckeyes and Hoosiers, this spring is a time of transition, but for the NFL, it is a countdown to the arrival of two of college football's most impactful graduates.