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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
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.
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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calibuck
Too soon old, too late smart
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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I don't know where he'll end up on the DL, but he's going be an absolute nightmare for opposing OL in the not so distant future. I think he's ready now honestly but just has a bit of a log jam in front of him coming in.
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Captain Buckeye
Assistant Coach
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
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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I didn't even realize he was in, but there are only so many things you can notice during a game. I think he is for sure a hybrid and thought that while he was recruited here. I think the optimal usage would be to DE and DT for now, or go to DT in a rushmen package. I will leave that to LJ Sr. though, just my observation.
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In addition to McDonald, Day mentioned five-star freshman Eddrick Houston as someone who continues to impress wherever he lines up on the defensive line. After being recruited at defensive end, Houston's moved to defensive tackle, a position Larry Johnson and LaAllan Clark believe could become a permanent position for the 6-foot-3, 270-pound athlete.
“He has a bright future ahead of him. I think he’s gonna be a really good football player. He hasn’t played a lot inside. He’s learning that position. When you look at how he projects out, we got one here now. He has to keep growing. He has to keep learning from Ty (Hamilton) and Tyleik about the intricacies of playing inside because it’s different on the edge. But he has the size, the power, the strength and the toughness to play inside for us.
“He’s really embraced it. I think he sees what it could be for him. Maybe down the road, we could move him back outside, but I think he realizes when you go from being a very athletic and strong defensive end and now moving inside, you become elite as a 3-technique because you have speed, quickness and power at the point of attack.”
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“He has a bright future ahead of him. I think he’s gonna be a really good football player. He hasn’t played a lot inside. He’s learning that position. When you look at how he projects out, we got one here now. He has to keep growing. He has to keep learning from Ty (Hamilton) and Tyleik about the intricacies of playing inside because it’s different on the edge. But he has the size, the power, the strength and the toughness to play inside for us.
“He’s really embraced it. I think he sees what it could be for him. Maybe down the road, we could move him back outside, but I think he realizes when you go from being a very athletic and strong defensive end and now moving inside, you become elite as a 3-technique because you have speed, quickness and power at the point of attack.”
Skull Session: Seth McLaughlin Sells ”Run the Damn Ball” Hats, Caleb Downs is a Future Top-10 Pick and Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse Adds an Ohio Stadium Cake to Its Menu
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Ohio State Excited About What It’s Seen from Eddrick Houston in Move to Defensive Tackle
By Dan Hope on November 15, 2024 at 10:10 am @dan_hope
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Eddrick Houston’s move to defensive tackle was prompted by a need for short-term depth, but early returns suggest it could be a fruitful move for his long-term future.
The No. 2 spot on Ohio State’s 3-technique depth chart was a revolving door in the first half of the season with Hero Kanu, Tywone Malone and Jason Moore all holding that spot at one point or another. None of them asserted themselves in a way that allowed any of them to earn consistent playing time, and Tyleik Williams’ absence from the interior defensive line was noticeable when that trio had to fill in for him in Ohio State’s third and fourth games of the season against Marshall and Michigan State.
As such, Ohio State made the midseason decision to move Houston – who had played only sparingly in the first half of the season as the Buckeyes’ sixth defensive end – inside to bolster its 3-technique depth. The five-star freshman quickly emerged as Williams’ top backup at the position, leading to his opportunity to make his first career start last week against Purdue when Williams was sidelined by another injury suffered late in the Buckeyes’ win over Penn State.
With Houston in the defensive tackle lineup alongside Ty Hamilton, Williams’ absence wasn’t as glaring as it was during the two games he missed earlier in the year. The freshman made one major mistake when he shoved a Purdue offensive lineman into the ground after the whistle, giving the Boilermakers 15 yards and a free first down for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after a third-down sack by Sonny Styles. But he showed stoutness as a run defender and flashed his ability to shed blocks and make plays as he recorded three tackles within three yards of the line of scrimmage.
Ohio State shut out Purdue while holding the Boilermakers to only 206 yards of offense. Houston’s performance in 27 snaps played a meaningful role in the Buckeyes getting their second shutout of the season, even with their top defensive tackle watching from the sidelines.
“There was obviously the one silly penalty that he'll have to learn from. But overall, I thought there was really a lot of flashes there for somebody who's not played inside a whole bunch in his career,” Ryan Day said Tuesday when evaluating Houston’s performance against Purdue. “He's got strength, he's got power. He ran to the football. Didn't quite grade out (as a champion), but I think there's a really bright future there at 3-technique for Eddrick.”
Ohio State Excited About What It’s Seen from Eddrick Houston in Move to Defensive Tackle
Five-star freshman Eddrick Houston has impressed Ryan Day and his Ohio State teammates with his quick improvement in his midseason move to defensive tackle.
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