What five-star Eddrick Houston means for Ohio State’s future along the defensive line
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Houston, there was almost a problem.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day had to excuse himself during his press conference twice on National Signing Day on Dec. 20, and for one of those occasions, he had to leave the room to take a phone call.
He came back with a sly grin, and soon after, five-star defensive lineman Eddrick Houston was officially a Buckeye.
Day wasn’t allowed to comment at the time, as coaches are not allowed to speak about uncommitted players. But by the end of his press conference, pen was put to paper for Houston and Day could praise who he hopes is Ohio State’s next great pass-rusher.
“Really, really excited about Eddrick,” Day said. “(Defensive line coach) Larry (Johnson) worked hard on this one. (Houston) comes from an unbelievable program down in Buford, we feel like he’s an impact player day one. It’s a long process to get to signing day here, but we identified him early as somebody who was a difference-maker.”
Houston was rated as the No. 26 overall player and No. 5 defensive lineman in the 2024 class, as the Buford, Georgia, product gave a badly needed boost to a Buckeye signing day that, at the time, looked like it could be a disaster.
Early in the day, there were reports that Houston was seriously considering a flip to Alabama — and at one point, there were even predictions placed that he’d end up playing for the Crimson Tide.
But the Buckeyes got it done, even if it took until the very end, and it saved what might’ve been a disaster for the 2024 class.
“Give Larry a lot of credit for the relationships he built down there,” Day said. “Tim Walton is a guy from down in Georgia who did a great job as well. That was a big one for us for sure.”
Houston was just one of two defensive line signees in the 2024 class (the other being three-star Eric Mensah), and after the flip of five-star Justin Scott to Miami earlier in the recruiting cycle, hanging onto Houston was certainly one of the top priorities for Ohio State.
Had he left for Alabama to stick closer to home, the 2024 class would have taken a massive hit both in quality and quantity. He was the only top 100 recruit the Buckeyes signed on either the offensive or defensive line.
While Ohio State’s defensive end grouping for the 2024 season remains uncertain until the NFL decisions of Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau come through, adding Houston was a massive get for the Buckeyes. There’s a scenario where, after the 2024 season, Sawyer, Tuimoloau, Kenyatta Jackson and Caden Curry are all gone from the program. Even if one remains, having the pipeline of talented pass-rushers continue was a needed, not desirable, outcome for signing day.
And Ohio State came through with the signing of Houston.
