Washington Commanders rookie linebacker Sonny Styles has already shown that he is going to be a beast on the field this fall. While Frankie Luvu has largely been the one setting the defense during training camp, that role could easily shift to Styles before the season begins. Because of Styles' success and larger-than-life personality, everyone wants to talk to him, including former NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. on his podcast, Taking Laps with Dale Earnhardt Jr. The podcast sees interviewees sitting beside the former NASCAR driver, answering questions while he drives them around a NASCAR track. It's worth noting that Earnhardt is a huge Commanders fan. Dale Earnhardt Jr. interviewed Sonny Styles pic.twitter.com/NIkurkoys4 CommandersMuse (@CommandersMusee) August 6, 2026The conversation between the two is friendly and comfortable; they talk with ease. Earnhardt wants to know who texted Styles first, and the answer was surprising: Laremy Tunsil. Then Earnhardt asks what Jayden Daniels said to Styles about joining the team."Man, Jayden's so cool," Styles says. "There's no big speech he gave me, just excited to get to work. It's kind of like the whole locker room; everyone in there, we have a bunch of good dudes. It kind of reminds me of Ohio State, like a bunch of good people in the building."Next, Dale asks what Styles' favorite assignment is on the field. Styles likes to be "mugged up" and lined up across from a running back. "You're lined up in the A-gap, you'll see where they're sliding, you'll see the running back staring at you, and you're like, you know you got him. It's time. I know a lot of running backs don't really like to block, so it's a fun time for a linebacker to get to tee off on the running back."He's not wrong; most running backs don't like to block. But it likely has less to do with the actual blocking than understanding the size difference between a running back and a linebacker. Still, when Dale asked his final question, the answer won't surprise you after hearing that.Which player or position is Styles excited to face? "I'm just excited to face a bunch of greats," Styles said. "Lamar Jackson, to see Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley." Shocker. Two of the best running backs in the league, and probably two of the biggest as far as size, are two of the three players mentioned by name.Styles has never been shy about wanting to be the best at what he does, and he's worked his tail off to be as good as he is. Facing the top players in the league is the best way to test himself. Measuring himself against top talent will tell him exactly where he stands and what he needs to do to become truly elite.This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' Sonny Styles reveals who texted first after he was drafted