Five-Star DL Eddrick Houston commits to Ohio State

Five-star defensive lineman Eddrick Houston of Buford (GA) High announced his commitment to Ohio State Tuesday evening.

The 6-foot-4, 270 pounder chose the Buckeyes over USC and Clemson.

“The culture that they have set in their program,” Houston said. “Also, just knowing that they can develop me on and off the field and make me the greatest I can be. Larry Johnson is an amazing coach that has shown multiple times that he can develop people into someone who can go to the next level.”

Houston’s relationship with the coaching staff and their plan for him played a key role in his decision as well.

“The coaching staff is great on and off the field. They joke and have fun off the field but when it’s time for business they are locked and ready to coach. Larry Johnson is the coach I’m closest with because of the constant communication from him to me and my parents. They tend to use me from a 5-9 tech which will be great to see what I can do.”

The Peach State defensive lineman joins coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes’ No. 2 class in the 2024 team rankings. He is accompanied by five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, five-star quarterback Air Noland, and others.

Eddrick Houston Recruiting Profile

Houston ranks as the No. 21 player in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also tabs in as the No. 4 defensive lineman and the No. 5 player in the state of Georgia.

Scouting Summary

On3’s Scouting and Rankings team writes this about him as a prospect:

“Twitched up edge defender who wins with get off and burst. Ran a solid 56.46 400m during his sophomore track and field season and also competed in the shot put and discus. Has positional flexibility due to size and athleticism, could potentially move off the ball to an inside linebacker prospect or gain serious mass and kick inside to a 3-technique. Shows off athletic ability and physicality at the point of attack on offense as well at the tight end position. Lacks ideal length for the edge but makes up for it with his hand usage and understanding of leverage.”

He currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $208K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.