Eddrick Houston Ready To Start Development Process at Ohio State

SAN ANTONIO — Ohio State was able to keep five-star defensive end Eddrick Houston in the fold, despite a late push by Alabama as the Early Signing Period opened in December. Arguably the crown jewel of this Ohio State defensive class, Houston is happy with the decision he made to stick with the Buckeyes because of the relationships he has with head coach Ryan Day and defensive line coach Larry Johnson.

“It was definitely exhausting those last few weeks before Signing Day,” Houston told BuckeyeHuddle.com on Tuesday afternoon. “I was worried about some stuff that was going on up there (at Ohio State). Ryan Day called me the day of Signing Day and just clarified all of the issues that I had.”

One of the issues is the on-going discussion around the longevity of Larry Johnson. Every year around this time the retirement rumors seem to pop up, often times from recruiting rivals of Ohio State’s. That was one of the things that Day addressed with Houston on their phone call on Signing Day.

“They said Larry Johnson isn’t going anywhere and so I said ‘neither am I’,” he said. “It didn’t just come down to coaching but (Johnson) was a big part of (the decision to pick Ohio State). The culture, being able to develop me, Ryan Day being able to develop me off the field as a man also was a big thing.”

With most five-star prospects, there is a constant discussion about immediate playing time. Certainly Houston would like to see the field as early as possible in Columbus, but he’s much more focused on running his own race and developing.

“I think I can (play early), just coming in there and working hard,” Houston said. “But I’m not looking to start my first year. I’m looking to get developed. You’ve got people out there that have been in college for some years now, like 24 year olds and I’m just 18. So I really want to get developed before they throw me into the fire. But if I do start, then it’s my time to step up and grow up quick.”

Hear more from Houston in our one-on-one with the big-time defensive end from All-American Bowl practice.