The Ohio State Buckeyes experienced notable highlights during the 2024 recruiting cycle, including coach Ryan Day’s feigned fainting at the podium following Jeremiah Smith’s decision and the commitment of the Armstrong twins on the offensive line. Another compelling chapter was added by 2024 four-star EDGE Eddrick Houston from Buford, Georgia, who recently shared the details of his decision to sign with Ohio State on December 20 in an interview with Eleven Warriors.
Houston described the chaotic scenario as he navigated signing his National Letter of Intent while Coach Day was in the middle of an interview. In an exclusive conversation with Eleven Warriors, Houston mentioned, “It was crazy because I had to sign (my National Letter of Intent) too, and I heard (Day) was in the middle of an interview.” He continued, “So, I didn’t want to interrupt. But my high school coach called him up while I was walking to the podium and let him know that I was going to stick with Ohio State.”
Despite receiving offers from prestigious programs like Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, USC, and Florida State, Houston, a four-star EDGE, committed to Ohio State on August 22, 2023. 247Sports had previously predicted multiple times that Alabama would secure Houston before Nick Saban’s retirement, but Ohio State ultimately emerged victorious even before the change in leadership at Alabama.
Reflecting on the challenging decision-making process, Houston admitted, “It was definitely hard, just thinking about all the stuff that could have gone wrong. But at the same time, the last 24 hours, I had to cut off my phone because I was receiving so many calls. But when I got to Signing Day, I knew in my heart where I wanted to go. And I stuck with it.”
Looking ahead, Day and the Buckeyes anticipate exciting moments with Houston on the team, projecting his potential impact in the upcoming season. In the 2023 season with Buford, Houston showcased his skills with 45 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks, 10 quarterback hits, five forced fumbles, and one pass breakup.