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DT Eddrick Houston (Official Thread)

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Better Know a Buckeye: Eddrick Houston’s Size, Speed and Versatility Give Him the Potential to Impose His Will As a Defensive End

Already listed at 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds, Eddrick Houston's size, speed and versatility will allow him to impose his will as a defensive end for Ohio State.
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Better Know A Buckeye is our look at every member of Ohio State’s 2024 recruiting class and how they became Buckeyes as they prepare to begin their OSU careers this fall.

After failing to secure commitments from three five-star defensive end targets in 2023, Larry Johnson wasn't going to let that streak continue into 2024.
While Eddrick Houston was one of just three signings along the defensive line for the Buckeyes in the class, he was certainly an impactful one. When Ohio State takes the field this fall, it will have three of the nine highest-rated defensive linemen it has signed in the modern recruiting era with J.T. Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer and Houston all in the Buckeyes’ defensive end corps. The latter, who was the No. 7 defensive lineman (No. 26 overall) in the 2024 class, brings plenty of versatility as an elite pass rusher to Ohio State's defensive line.
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IMMEDIATE IMPACT​

While he used his versatility across the defensive line in high school, Houston is expected to be a defensive end at Ohio State. With Sawyer and Tuimoloau returning as the starters and Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson Jr. filling out the two-deep, Houston's first season in Columbus will likely be a developmental season, even if he has the talent to contribute right away.

“I think my size and quickness might be the main thing to help me at defensive end,” Houston said. “But at the same time, I’m working on a lot of stuff that I didn’t see in high school, but now I see it up here.”

While the five-star prospect was one of the top prospects in his class, he also realizes that the level of football at Ohio State is much different than what he faced in high school and will take some getting used to.

“Right now they’ve told me to trust the process,” Houston said of the advice he’s received from older players. “Because I’ve messed up a lot of stuff because I’ve never done it. So they just say trust the process. Because they all went through it at first, too. So now it’s just about listening to coach Johnson and everything he’s telling me on how to get better.”

While Johnson has been known to give immediately playing time to his top prospects at defensive end – the Bosa brothers, Chase Young, Zach Harrison, Sawyer and Tuimoloau – as freshmen, Houston could have a tougher time given the talent that’s still in Columbus for the 2024 season.

LONG-TERM IMPACT​

Houston will have a legitimate opportunity to compete for a starting job as a sophomore. While he will have to compete with Curry and Jackson, among others, the Buckeyes will be looking for new stars to emerge on the edge following the departures of Sawyer and Tuimoloau, and Houston is capable of being a wrecking ball on the edge.

He already has a college-ready skill set physically and could be the next in a long line of stars on Ohio State’s defensive line as he develops that skill set over the next three to four years.
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A great example of how the veterans can help mold a new player. Enjoy how he is realistic (and not fearful) of saying he's making mistakes, because the college game is so much different than the HS one. Guidance by Jack and JT, plus probably more by Caden and Kenyatta will go a long way this this kid. Can see Coach J spending more time with Houston, as the players above him and the 'been there and done that' experiences will give him the foundation with which to excel. Watching and learning, along with some quality time with coach Mick, is invaluable. Hopefully he gets his four games of experience, without having to burn his redshirt. go Bucks!
 
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Fingers crossed on full health at DE and four games to keep the RS to get Eddrick some time and development. But if someone gets injured, I think this kid will be ready to step up. Really glad he is able to come in early and get prepared, we might need him.
 
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A kid who made me instantly look up who #96 was because he looked like a grown man already! Kid is huge, and not just for a frosh, and he can MOVE! I don't see how he doesn't push KJjr and Curry as a backup
 
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He’s a for sure hybrid player though… not big enough for DT but probably lacks an elite first step to be a DE.

I haven’t noticed anything bad though when he’s in so that’s great lol… the fact he’s getting some run vs PSU (in their house) over players such as Kanu and Malone as a true freshman that’s impressive
 
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