Five-star defensive lineman Eddrick Houston commits to Ohio State
COLUMBUS — Ohio State landed one of its biggest defensive prospects in the 2024 cycle.
Eddrick Houston has committed to the Buckeyes.
The five-star Buford (Ga) defensive lineman chose Ohio State over Georgia, Alabama, Clemson and others.
Houston is the No. 4 defensive lineman and the No. 21 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Rankings. On3 has him as the No. 9 defensive lineman and the No. 56 overall prospect.
Ohio State was trending for Houston before he stepped on campus for his official visit. The noise around the Buckeyes really started when he was on Georgia’s campus for his official visit.
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound prospect has a very deep relationship with Buckeyes’ defensive line coach Larry Johnson. That relationship is ultimately why Ohio State won out in his recruitment.
“I watched practice and really saw how coach Larry Johnson works with his players. He would coach J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer but still make time to come over and explain things to me. That really stood out to me. He and coach Ryan Day made me feel like a priority for them. They have shown a lot of interest in me, they produce a lot of top defensive linemen and Ohio State showed me a lot on this visit.”
Houston had more about Johnson and the relationship between him and Ohio State.
“It’s definitely about Larry Johnson and what he’s been able to do. But you’ve also got Ryan Day, an amazing coach and has a great plan for his kids being better people. The coaching staff in general is always talking to me and staying connected. That’s a big thing for me.
“Coach Johnson, he’s able to develop you on the field — you’ve seen Nick Bosa, Joey Bosa and Chase Young — but also off the field. He can develop you as a person, he’s a religious man, and doesn’t curse at you during practice. He just wants to make you a good man and help you think and do right.”
Houston is now the eighth defensive prospect committed to the Buckeyes 2024 class. He joins fellow five-star defensive lineman Justin Scott in the haul for Johnson so far. Four-star linebackers Garrett Stover and Payton Pierce round out the front seven.
Cornerbacks Aaron Scott Jr., Bryce West and Miles Lockhart, and safety Jaylen McClain round out the secondary.
Ohio State has a star-studded offensive class led by five-star wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Mylan Graham.
And the Buckeyes have more stars on the way defensively.
Including defensive lineman Eddrick Houston.
