COLUMBUS, Ohio — Sept. 3 is officially game day for Buckeye fans and possibly the biggest opening weekend ever as the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes take on the fifth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
But what makes this matchup even more special is two brothers taking the field in opposite uniforms.
What You Need To Know
- Alex ‘Sonny’ Styles is a freshman safety at Ohio State
- His older brother is a sophomore wide receiver for Notre Dame
- The brothers both played at Pickerington Central High School outside of Columbus
- Now the two have the potential to play against each other in week 1 of college football
It’s a battle of brothers; Alex ‘Sonny’ Styles, a freshman safety at Ohio State suiting up for his first collegiate game.
Sonny Styles (right) after he got his black stripe taken away at OSU (@OhioStateFB)
On the opposite sideline, his brother, Lorenzo, is a sophomore wide receiver for the Irish. Lorenzo says he’s not letting any of the talk get to him.
“Being honest with you, I really don’t care what anyone else thinks about us, about this receiving room,” Lorenzo said. “I know we believe in ourself and we just got to go execute.”
Lorenzo Styles makes a catch during a Notre Dame game (@LorenzoStyles_)
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman helped recruit both boys before Sonny made his decision to stay in the Buckeye state. He says he feels for the family while they cheer for both sides.
“It’s going to be interesting on September 3rd. She’s [Sonny and Lorenzo’s mom] going to have a son on each team,” Freeman said. “I know that won’t be easy, but she is an unbelievable force for that family.”
And back at Pickerington Central, the Styles’ alma matter, head coach Jay Sharrett remembers how hard-working they both were.
Pickerington Central coach Jay Sharrett coaches his team ahead of a game (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)
“The best thing about those two is you have to pull them off the field,” Sharrett said.
He says while it was tough to lose Sonny a year early since he reclassified, he’s excited for the brothers’ match-up and what it will mean for Pickerington Central football.
Sonny Styles (left) alongside his dad Lorenzo Sr (middle) and his brother Lorenzo Jr (right) at Pickerington Central (Sonny Styles)
“Him and Alex getting ready to go at it on Saturday,” Sharrett said. “And I don’t know what role each of them will play in the game. But it’ll be fun. It says a lot for Pickerington Central, says a lot for Tiger football, and we couldn’t be happier for them.”
