Five-star Georgia 2024 defensive end Eddrick Houston went into his Sept. 3 visit at Ohio State open-minded.
The 6-foot-3, 255-pound pass rusher was impressed by what he saw at Ohio Stadium during the Buckeyes’ 21-10 victory over Notre Dame. Houston was impressed by how energized the stadium was, mentioning fans were excited throughout the contest.
“It was great just to see the energy and how electric it is when the Buckeyes play,” Houston told Eleven Warriors. “I saw great things from the different types of schemes they run and how they try to utilize their players up front. (I liked) how they can have stand-up guys and four-point guys and still be able to rush the quarterback.”
Before the game, the sidelines were full of celebrities, ranging from Joe Burrow to Justin Fields to LeBron James. But Houston didn’t get starstruck.
“No sir,” Houston said when asked if he was able to meet any of the celebrities while on his visit. “I was more focused on Ohio State and how they were warming up just to see what they go through when they prepare for the game.”
Houston viewed his visit as a business trip and enjoyed speaking with Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson that weekend.
“He was talking about why he recruited me and different things like that and how I’d fit into their scheme,” Houston said. “I’d fit in as an edge rusher. He really wants me if I choose Ohio State to be the best version of myself and not be like all the others that came through here. He’s going to develop me in the way that he knows best, and that will be good for me. He really told me he liked my leadership and how I’m always there to help the younger players and coach them up. The little things he saw about my character and on the field to the younger kids (impressed him).”
Johnson and Houston communicate every week and spoke as recently as Monday. With his OSU trip in the books, where do the Buckeyes rank amongst the other offers Houston has racked up?
“I don’t know yet, but that atmosphere and just being up there really moved them up from what I’ve been thinking with them,” he said.
Houston said he would visit Alabama this weekend but is unsure of any other visits he may take during the remainder of the fall. He’s not sure when he’ll make another trip to Columbus but is optimistic that he will revisit Ohio State.
“I’m for sure going to get back up there because I need to see more,” Houston said. “I didn’t get to see that much because I was stuck in traffic in Cincinnati and was late to some stuff, but I’m for sure going to get back up there and see what Ohio State has to offer.”
Pringle puts OSU in top 10
A priority offensive tackle target for Ohio State in the 2024 class has included the Buckeyes in his trimmed-down schools list. Four-star South Carolina offensive tackle Kam Pringle put the Buckeyes in his top 10 Monday, along with North Carolina State, Virginia, Tennessee, LSU, Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Clemson and Auburn.
Blessing ! @ggpringle33 @RivalsFriedman @ChadSimmons_ @Mansell247 @KevinLive5 @LemmingReport @Rivals @247recruiting @UANextFootball pic.twitter.com/2arY4vjD2D
— Kam Pringle (@PringleKam) September 13, 2022
Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye reached out to Pringle directly on Sept. 1, the first day college coaches were permitted to contact recruits directly in their junior seasons.
“He told me they’re really excited about the future,” Pringle said.
Pringle has racked up 21 Division I offers and is considered the 58th-best prospect and the second-best offensive tackle in the 2024 class per 247Sports’ composite rankings.
Hall locks in an official visit for OSU
A four-star 2023 defensive tackle has locked in an official visit to Ohio State. Florida prospect Jordan Hall told On3 this week he’ll make an official visit to Columbus for the regular season finale against Michigan on Nov. 26. The Buckeyes offered hall on Feb. 26 and his November trip will mark the first time Hall visits Columbus.
“You see the guys they produce, at just any position on the defensive line,” Hall told On3. “Haskell Garrett, one of the good D-linemen they produced, Nick and Joey (Bosa), Chase Young. Three studs came out of there back-to-back-back. Coach Johnson is probably one of college football's top defensive line coaches. And he knows what he’s doing. He connects with his players, he’s very efficient, and he’s a technician.”
Hall is one of two defensive tackles with official visits planned for OSU, the other being Kayden McDonald, who will visit for the Wisconsin game on Sept. 24.
