Early Signing Period: Five-Star Defensive End Eddrick Houston Signs With Ohio State

Get to know Buford, Ga., five-star defensive end Eddrick Houston, who signed with the Buckeyes on Wednesday.

BREAKING: Five-Star EDGE Eddrick Houston tells me he is sticking with Ohio State

The Peach State EDGE has been Committed to the Buckeyes since August

Alabama pushed late, but Houston will sign with the Buckeyes 🌰https://t.co/NQR6fKmLnv pic.twitter.com/8xGa7Xk0TS

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 20, 2023

Height, Weight: 6-3, 265

247Sports Composite Ranking: He is rated as the No. 26 overall prospect, fifth-ranked defensive lineman and fifth-ranked recruit out of Georgia.

Commitment Date: Houston committed to Ohio State on Aug. 22.

Other Offers: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Tennessee, USC.

How He Did In High School: Over the last two seasons for Buford, Houston collected 109 tackles (23 for loss) with 15 sacks. He also won a state championship with Buford in 2021

Where He Fits For 2024: Given the makeup of Ohio State’s class that mostly features interior defensive line prospects, Buford is expected to line up on the edge for the Buckeyes. And with the expected departure of J.T. Tuimoloau, as well as the potential departure of Jack Sawyer, there could be an opportunity for youth to step up at defensive end.

Soon-to-be juniors Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson Jr. would be the presumed starters if both Tuimoloau and Sawyer depart, but current freshman Joshua Mickens and redshirt junior Mitchell Melton are the only other scholarship defensive ends on the roster, so at least a handful of snaps are likely in order for Houston and his fellow freshmen on the defensive line.