The McShay Show | The Ringer

Day Four From the Combine: Sonny Styles' Historic Day, Arvell Reese and More Standouts from the EDGE, IDL, and LB Classes
Date: February 27, 2026
Host: Todd McShay
Guests: Daniel Jeremiah, Bucky Brooks, Scott Fitterer (Carolina Panthers GM)

Episode Overview

This special Combine episode takes listeners inside one of the most electric nights in recent NFL Draft memory. Todd McShay is joined by Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks to break down historic performances from Ohio State's Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese, discuss key EDGE, interior defensive line, and linebacker prospects, and present insider conversations from NFL front offices. The conversation is rooted in real-time Combine data, scouting insights, and the ever-shifting 2026 draft landscape, followed by a revealing interview with Panthers GM Scott Fitterer about evaluating talent and running a draft room.

Headline Segment: Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese Dominate the Combine

Historic Performances & Measurables

[03:11 – 10:03]

• Both Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese deliver combine workouts that electrify evaluators:
  • Sonny Styles:
    • Measured at 6'5", 244 lbs, 10" hands, 33" arms.
    • Runs an official 4.46s 40-yard dash—elite at this size.
    • Vertical jump: 43.5 inches – best ever for a linebacker at the Combine, best for any 240+ lb athlete since 1999, and the 15th best vertical in Combine history at any position.
    • Broad jump: 11’2”
    • Previously played safety, still retaining coverage ability with added size.
    • “That 43 and a half inch vertical is the best ever accomplished by a linebacker... It is the 15th best vertical jump in the history of the combine" – Daniel Jeremiah [06:36]
    • "He can get into the 250s and like no sweat. There's no body fat." – Daniel Jeremiah [06:20]
  • Arvell Reese:
    • Just over 6'4", 241 lbs, 9.5" hands, 32.5" arms.
    • Official 4.46s 40-yard dash—matches Styles.
    • Did not jump, but matches much of Styles’ on-field explosiveness in drills.
    • “These guys are both great. We’re like, these guys... they could’ve gone home at that point and everyone would have been happy.” – Bucky Brooks [04:46]
• The two Ohio State stars push each other, each matching the other's times, building buzz among scouts, and setting a new threshold for athleticism at the linebacker position.

Context & Pass Rush Abilities

[09:06 – 14:44]

• Discussion pivots from raw athletic numbers to positional versatility and scheme fit.
• Sonny Styles is highlighted as a prospect with rare three-level defensive capability:
  • Can cover like a safety, play as a base linebacker, and rush the passer.
  • “You can cover with him, you can play him... on an obvious rundown, he’s your base Mike linebacker. On an obvious pass down, he can be overhang. He can rush. And you don’t know as a quarterback... which one he’s going to do.” – Daniel Jeremiah [14:45]
  • Styles’ pass rush stats: 39 pressures and 10 sacks (169 pass rush snaps in college).
  • Reese: off-ball LB with proven edge ability, 34 pressures and 11 sacks (138 snaps at edge).
• Both project as top-10 picks with Styles potentially pushing for the top 5:
  • "I would be willing to bet you right now Sonny Styles is not sitting there available for the sixth team that drafts." – Daniel Jeremiah [16:11]
  • "He tackles better in 2025 than he does in 2024... a year-over-year ascension guy." – Daniel Jeremiah [19:36]

EDGE & DL Class Standouts

David Bailey, Cassius Howell, and TJ Parker

[22:53 – 41:24]

• David Bailey (EDGE):
  • Size: 6'3.5", 251 lbs, 10.25" hands, 33 3/8" arms.
  • 40: 4.50 (official time), 1.60 split.
  • Broad: 10’9”, Vert: 35”.
  • “These are like unbelievable times at that size. But it gets overshadowed by a 4.47." – Daniel Jeremiah [23:23]
• Cassius Howell (EDGE):
  • 6’2.5”, 253 lbs, extremely short arms (30.25").
  • 40: 4.59, 1.58 split, vertical: 32.5”, broad: 9’7”.
  • "Massive red flag for NFL evaluators," but disruptive on tape.
  • "He's going to be a great player, I guarantee you." – Daniel Jeremiah [36:24]
• TJ Parker (EDGE, Clemson):
  • 6’3", 263 lbs, arms: 33 1/8".
  • 40: 4.68, 10-yard split: 1.61, Vert: 34”, Broad: 10’.
  • "He's not getting out of the first round." – Bucky Brooks [40:44], validated by alignment with elite EDGE standards.

Defensive Tackles

[41:44 – 48:01]

• Caleb Banks (Florida, IDL):
  • 6’6.25”, 327 lbs, 10 7/8” hands, 35” arms, 85.75” wingspan (!)
  • 40: 5.04, vert: 32”, broad: 9’6”.
  • Withdraws due to cleat discomfort, slightly raising character/commitment questions.
  • "You were so close to having this perfect day." – Daniel Jeremiah [30:32]
• Grayson Halton (Oklahoma, IDL):
  • 6’2.5”, 293 lbs, 31.25” arms.
  • 40: 4.82, vert: 36.5” (best among IDL), tied for second-best broad, 4th best shuttle.
  • "He had the best vertical jump of any interior defensive lineman here." – Daniel Jeremiah [45:07]
• Lee Hunter:
  • Numbers disappoint with "red flags flying in a hurricane," but Brooks sticks by him:
  • "Give me Lee Hunter. Dude, watch the tape." – Bucky Brooks [47:30]

Linebacker Winners and Notable Nudge Prospects

Anthony Hill Jr., Jacob Rodriguez, Caleb Elams

[41:24 – 53:55]

• Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas, LB):
  • 6’2”, 238 lbs, 32 3/8” arms, 79" wingspan.
  • 40: 4.51, broad: 10’5”, vert: 37”, “looked really smooth in drills.”
  • “He had a great day... Looked really smooth and clean in the, in the drills. I think he’s another first rounder.” – Daniel Jeremiah [42:52]
• Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech, LB):
  • 40: 4.57, vert: 38.5”.
  • “He’s a second rounder all day long.” – Daniel Jeremiah [43:36]
• Caleb Elams Orr (LB, nudge prospect):
  • 6’2”, 234 lbs
  • 40: 4.47
  • Vert: 40"
  • “That’s a name to get to know and to go check out more tape on…” – Daniel Jeremiah [51:14]

Other Noteworthy Combined Results

• Zane Durant (Penn State, DT):
  • 6’1”, 290 lbs, short arms, giant hands, 40: 4.75
  • Explosive similar to Kancey; "definitely helped himself." – Bucky Brooks [52:15]
• Malachi Lawrence (EDGE):
  • 6’4.5”, 253 lbs, 33 5/8” arms, vert: 40"
  • "He had the best broad jump, second best vertical, second best 40 and second best ten yard split—which is absurd for his size." – Daniel Jeremiah [53:13]

Key Analytical Insights/Big Picture Draft Trends

[15:00 – 26:00, recurrent]

• Emphasis on multi-role, positionless defenders—Styles in particular as the prototype for the league's emerging demands.
• Explosive metrics (40 time, vertical, arm length) continue to predict NFL success at EDGE/LB more reliably than ever.
• Teams are increasingly looking for creative deployment (“three levels” defenders) instead of rigid positional fits.
• With no Myles Garrett-type edge at the top, versatility and rare testing are driving draft boards.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Sonny Styles checked in at 6-foot-5, 244 pounds... 43 and a half inch vertical." – Daniel Jeremiah [06:36]
• "I promise you, Nick, Eamon Worre's tape was not that great... Where Nicky Minwarri was on tape coming out of South Carolina compared to what Sonny Styles is out of Ohio State, there is not a comparison." – Daniel Jeremiah [11:17]
• "I'm not saying that Sonny's even going to go ahead of Arvell [Reese]. I'm saying that now all of a sudden I'm looking at this board a little bit more clearly..." – Daniel Jeremiah [20:29]
• Bucky Brooks, tongue-in-cheek: “Maybe you can clean up that cold by [Friday].” [47:10]
• "When you come here and you compete, it makes it really easy for guys in the league to be like, 'Yeah, that's... you stamp a guy.'" – Bucky Brooks [43:04]

Interview: Scott Fitterer, GM, Carolina Panthers

[55:59 – 82:39]

Career Journey & Talent Evaluation Philosophy

• Started in scouting at Seattle (via internship), spent two years finding himself after NFL career.
• “If you’re the smartest person in the room, then you’re in the wrong room.” – John Schneider, as quoted by Fitterer [60:23]
• Stresses low-ego, team-oriented approach: “Put that ego to the side and just do what you gotta do. And I loved it.” [59:14]
• On what makes a prospect draftable: “We’re looking for… those guys that love football, guys that just—they’ll do anything to win. They love their teammates. They’re great in the locker room.” [68:05]
• On NIL era and transfer portal: “We're going to be able to get a snapshot of what this guy looks like with money.” [71:44]

Evaluation Process

• Emphasizes watching tape and matching observed effort/passion with in-person interviews.
• On draft board philosophy: “We just put a microscope on the draft board and we’re like, this guy’s either what we want or he’s not what we want.” [75:24]
• Keeps board to 115–170 names, carefully weeding out non-fits for culture and effort.
• “I want players... who've had to overcome a lot because inevitably you're going to have to deal with adversity when you get to the NFL.” [80:42]

Life Behind the Scenes

• Favorite part of GM job: “Watch tape. I’m in my office, ...I have full confidence. When we say we're picking this guy, I know this guy. Right. I don't have to depend on anybody else.” [76:30]
• Least favorite: The necessary but distracting fires and owner interactions, but he feels well-prepared thanks to mentor GMs.
• On adversity: “Attacking adversity... when you, like, kind of tells you who a person is. Like it does when you're down. Like, we all get our ass kicked.” – Daniel Jeremiah [80:24]
• Draft weekend tradition: “I’m a big sushi guy... a sushi guy comes in and makes [rolls] on the first day of the draft.” [81:39]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [03:11] Styles/Reese 40s and measurables
• [06:36] Styles’ all-time combine record jump
• [09:11] Contextualizing testing vs. tape for both
• [14:44] Scheme fits, multi-role defenders discussion
• [22:53] Edge/IDL class deep dive—Bailey, Banks, TJ Parker, etc.
• [41:24] Top LB performers—Hill, Rodriguez, Elams, etc.
• [55:59] GM Scott Fitterer Interview begins
• [68:05] Fitterer on building a locker room and board philosophy
• [81:39] Panthers draft room sushi tradition

Summary Table: Combine Standouts

| Player | Pos | Height | Weight | 40 yd | Vert (in) | Broad (ft) | Notables | |--------------------|-----|--------|--------|-------|-----------|------------|------------------------------------| | Sonny Styles | LB | 6'5" | 244 | 4.46 | 43.5 | 11'2" | Best vert for LB/240+lb all-time | | Arvell Reese | LB | 6'4" | 241 | 4.46 | – | – | Matched Styles’ 40, top edge flex | | David Bailey | EDGE| 6'3.5" | 251 | 4.50 | 35 | 10'9" | 1.60 split; long arms; explosive | | Cassius Howell | EDGE| 6'2.5" | 253 | 4.59 | 32.5 | 9'7" | Very short arms, twitchy on tape | | TJ Parker | EDGE| 6'3" | 263 | 4.68 | 34 | 10 | Matched NFL avg for top pass rushers| | Caleb Banks | IDL | 6'6.25"| 327 | 5.04 | 32 | 9'6" | 85.75" wingspan, concerns remain | | Grayson Halton | IDL | 6'2.5" | 293 | 4.82 | 36.5 | – | Best vert among IDL, star at Sr. Bowl|

Conclusion

This episode stands out as a real-time snapshot of a stunning defensive front seven Combine, with rare athletic benchmarks smashed, positional innovation discussed, and the practical realities of NFL talent evaluation unpacked. Whether you want the latest on LB/EDGE/IDL draft risers or the inside baseball of how a modern NFL GM builds his board and culture, this episode delivers—peppered with humor, competition, and the authentic grind of the football season.

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