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Sophomore defensive tackle Eddrick Houston committed to Ohio State out of Buford High School in Georgia almost two years ago to the day, selecting the Buckeyes over the likes of Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, and USC. The five-star prospect was a highly
sought recruit and the top-ranked defensive player in Ohio State’s 2024 class by 247Sports at No. 26 overall.
Rated as high as the No. 6 defensive end in the class, Houston moved inside, following in the footsteps of previous large OSU defensive end prospects like Adolphus Washington.
Houston was an early enrollee, but didn’t have his black stripe removed until the eighth practice of preseason camp last year. Regardless, Houston was able to quickly start getting snaps once the season started. The freshman appeared in 12 games during Ohio State’s 2024 national championship season, racking up the most snaps on defense (141) of the freshman class.
Houston earned both the trust of position coach Larry Johnson, Jr. and more playing time as the season progressed. That included double-digit snaps for the freshman in each of Ohio State’s four College Football Playoff games.
While Houston didn’t amass eye-popping numbers in his first collegiate season, he did well to occupy offensive linemen, helping Buckeye linebackers to plug holes and make plays. He also penetrated opposing offensive lines, forcing plays away from where they were designed to go.
Houston recorded seven tackles (four solos) and batted down two passes at the line of scrimmage, passing older guys like Hero Kanu (who will ironically be on the opposite sideline with Texas for Saturday’s season opener) on the depth chart after moving inside from defensive end, eventually becoming the go-to replacement when Tyleik Williams needed a rest.
Many of Houston’s snaps came alongside Kayden McDonald, who is likely to start alongside him on the completely rebuilt 2025 OSU defensive line. McDonald will become the new Buckeye nose tackle, while Houston will be the main man at the 3-technique on the four-man defensive line.
Despite entering his first season as a starter, Houston comes with high expectations. He was one of 50 players named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Outland Trophy — an award given annually to college football’s most outstanding interior lineman (offense or defense).
Only four Buckeyes have ever won the award, with the most recent being offensive tackle Orlando Pace in 1996. Teammate Tegra Tshabola was also named to the Outland preseason watch list.
With his size and quickness, Houston can eat blocks and even double teams at the point of attack, open holes for blitzing linebackers, or beat his man to collapse the pocket. Those traits will be needed if he’s going to replace Williams, who was a first-round pick (No. 28 overall) by the Detroit Lions in the 2025 NFL Draft.
If Houston can fill Williams’ considerable shoes in 2025, the Buckeyes might not miss a beat defensively in Matt Patricia’s first season as OSU defensive coordinator. It could also launch Houston into a third season in Columbus in 2026 that could see him follow Williams into the NFL.
