Larry Johnson is back with a vengeance.
After Ohio State went 0-for-3 on five-star defensive end targets in 2023, the longtime OSU defensive line coach landed arguably the most versatile defensive line prospect in the entire 2024 cycle when five-star Georgia prospect Eddrick Houston committed to Ohio State on Tuesday, his birthday.
Johnson went into the heart of the South and landed the 23rd-ranked overall prospect and the fourth-rated defensive lineman in the 2024 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.
Houston received his Ohio State offer from safeties coach Perry Eliano on Jan. 20, 2022.
The Houston File
- Class: 2024
- Size: 6-3/265
- Pos: DL
- School: Buford (Buford, Georgia)
- Composite Rating: ★★★★★
- Composite Rank: #23 (#4 DL)
“I was shocked that my film was able to get me that type of offer,” Houston told Eleven Warriors after receiving the offer. “It just shows that my hard work is paying off … I’ve been looking at Ohio State since Chase Young was there. I did some research when I was younger about the kids that developed at Ohio State and went to the NFL. They’re still doing what they were doing in college in the league, and that really caught my eye.”
After developing a relationship with Johnson over the past year-and-a-half, OSU finally saw the momentum swing in its favor after Houston's official visit on June 16. Alabama made a late push for the Buford product, but Columbus was where Houston wanted to be.
“I love the way Larry Johnson coaches and the way he develops kids,” Houston said.
Houston also visited OSU last fall for the Buckeyes' season-opening victory against Notre Dame and relished the experience.
“It was great just to see the energy and how electric it is when the Buckeyes play,” Houston said after the visit. “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.”
Ohio State now has 21 commits for the 2024 cycle with seven on the defensive side of the ball. Houston is the second five-star defensive line commit in Ohio State’s 2024 class, joining defensive tackle Justin Scott, and the fifth overall 2024 five-star prospect to commit to the Buckeyes. With Houston in the fold, OSU maintains its spot at second overall in 247Sports' national recruiting rankings, only trailing Georgia for the top position.
OSU would still like to add to its 2024 defensive line class and is continuing to pursue Ernest Willor Jr., Booker Pickett Jr., Dominick McKinley and Nigel Smith, though the Buckeyes are not currently viewed as the favorite in their recruitments.
Houston picked OSU over the likes of Oregon, Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Michigan State, Clemson, Oklahoma, Tennessee and LSU.
| Pos | Name | Rating | Rank | Size | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR | JEREMIAH SMITH | ★★★★★ | #2 NATL | #1 WR | 6-3 | 198 | Chaminade-Madonna Prep (Opa Locka, Florida) |
| DT | JUSTIN SCOTT | ★★★★★ | #14 NATL | #3 DL | 6-4 | 310 | St. Ignatius (Chicago, Illinois) |
| WR | MYLAN GRAHAM | ★★★★★ | #17 NATL | #6 WR | 6-1 | 170 | New Haven (New Haven, Indiana) |
| QB | AIR NOLAND | ★★★★★ | #22 NATL | #3 QB | 6-3 | 195 | Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Georgia) |
| DL | EDDRICK HOUSTON | ★★★★★ | #23 NATL | #4 DL | 6-3 | 265 | Buford (Buford, Georgia) |
| CB | AARON SCOTT | ★★★★ | #43 NATL | #4 CB | 6-0| 170 | Springfield (Springfield, Ohio) |
| CB | BRYCE WEST | ★★★★ | #50 NATL | #5 CB | 5-11 | 177 | Glenville (Cleveland, Ohio) |
| RB | JAMES PEOPLES | ★★★★ | #85 NATL | #7 RB | 5-10 | 192 | Veterans Memorial (San Antonio, Texas) |
| WR | JEREMIAH MCCLELLAN | ★★★★ | #104 NATL | #17 WR | 6-0 | 190 | Christian Brothers College (St. Louis, Missouri) |
| OT | IAN MOORE | ★★★★ | #128 NATL | #7 IOL | 6-5 | 295 | New Palestine (New Palestine, Indiana) |
| LB | GARRETT STOVER | ★★★★ | #143 NATL | #11 LB | 6-0 | 195 | Big Walnut (Sunbury, OH) |
| RB | JORDAN LYLE | ★★★★ | #173 NATL | #13 RB | 6-0 | 180 | St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Laderdale, Florida) |
| LB | PAYTON PIERCE | ★★★★ | #198 NATL | #18 LB | 6-1 | 225 | Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas) |
| S | JAYLEN McCLAIN | ★★★★ | #260 NATL | #24 S | 6-0 | 185 | Seton Hall Prep (West Orange, New Jersey) |
| TE | MAX LEBLANC | ★★★★ | #267 NATL | #14 TE | 6-4 | 222 | Baylor School (Chattanooga, Tennessee) |
| CB | MILES LOCKHART | ★★★★ | #348 NATL | #27 CB | 5-10 | 185 | Basha (Chandler, AZ) |
| TE | DAMARION WITTEN | ★★★★ | #349 NATL | #19 TE | 6-4 | 215 | Glenville (Cleveland, OH) |
| OT | DEONTAE ARMSTRONG | ★★★★ | #415 NATL | #32 OT | 6-6 | 280 | St. Edward (Lakewood, OH) |
| OL | DEVONTAE ARMSTRONG | ★★★ | #448 NATL | #27 IOL | 6-5 | 297 | St. Edward (Lakewood, OH) |
| OL | MARC NAVE | ★★★ | #655 NATL | #44 IOL | 6-5 | 315 | Central Catholic (Toledo, OH) |
| RB | SAM WILLIAMS-DIXON | ★★★ | #752 NATL | #72 ATH | 5-11 | 203 | Pickerington North (Columbus, OH) |
| Prospect Rating Data: 247Sports | |||||
Houston gives Buckeyes elite pass-rushing threat, versatility
Houston turned in a monster season last year at Buford High School (Buford, Georgia), racking up 64 total tackles (11 for loss), 10 sacks and 15 quarterback hurries.
“I want to make sure the pressure is on the QB so he won’t be able to sit in the pocket and be able to make a good read,” Houston said.
Currently 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds, Houston could be either an outside pass rusher or an interior defensive lineman in Ohio State's defensive scheme. Houston typically lines up at defensive end in a four-point stance at Buford, but could also play as a standup edge at the next level or bulk up and convert to defensive tackle. He'll likely begin his collegiate career as a defensive end.
“He was talking about why he recruited me and different things like that and how I’d fit into their scheme,” Houston said of his conversation with Johnson after his Notre Dame visit. “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).”
Houston has shown he can beat offensive tackles with both power and speed. There's never a lack of a motor from Houston, who has chased down running backs or quarterbacks from 10 yards away. He plays tight end for Buford as well, though he will play only defense at OSU.
He has the length to disrupt passes at the line of scrimmage and has above-average speed for someone of his size, considering he once anchored Buford's 4x400-meter relay in track and field.
