‘He’s got a chance to be special’: Ohio State legend offers unusually optimistic praise on emerging star defender originally appeared on A to Z Sports.
Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson has developed more than his fair share of elite college football pass-rushers and future NFL stars throughout his long career. Now in his early 70s, Johnson is in the twilight of his time on the sideline, but the Buckeyes have been happy to keep him in tow while he’s willing to. His impact has gone beyond what happens on Saturdays, but there’s no question that he can develop athletes.
Advertisement
The Buckeyes don’t have a lot of surefire homegrown starters along the defensive line entering 2025, but former top defensive line prospect Eddrick Houston is trending up. His freshman season was very encouraging, and he committed to being a tackle late in 2024. He’s added a significant amount of muscle this offseason, and now Johnson has made it known he’s excited for Houston’s present and future.
“I think he’s got a chance to be really special. I think he’s got a chance,” Johnson said. ”But again, he’s a young player learning how to develop. I don’t want to put all that pressure on him like he’s got to do this — he’s just got to play to his ability. If he can do that, he’ll give himself a chance to play really, really solid.”
Johnson doesn’t often go above and beyond with hyperbole. He stayed measured even in this example, but you can tell he’s looking for a leap in impact sooner rather than later. The Buckeyes need Houston to blossom as soon as possible in order to give them the chance to repeat as champions.
Advertisement
View the original article to see embedded media.
Early this week, Houston made his way onto the Outland Trophy watch list, a prestigious award that highlights the nation’s best interior lineman. Both offensive and defensive linemen are included on the watchlist. Houston and offensive guard Tegra Tshabola represent the Buckeyes.
Houston produced only seven tackles but had seven quarterback pressures and three run stops in 141 snaps. He became a regular rotation member in Week 11 against Purdue.
Advertisement
“I think he’s got a very bright future ahead of him, I think he’s a very good football player,” head coach Day said of Houston. “He’s gotta keep learning. He has the size, the strength, (and) the toughness to play inside.”
Houston is listed at 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds but looks closer to 295 now. The talented freshman out of Buford, Georgia, has been lining up at the 3-tech, a spot that he is expected to stay in. The decision to keep him on the interior was reinforced when the Buckeyes lost Hero Kanu to Texas in the transfer portal.
After Houston made his first career start against Purdue, Day continued to pour on the compliments.
Advertisement
“He’s really flashed for us making the move from defensive end into three-technique,” Day stated. “He has a lot of ability and he is active. You know he’s young and he’s going to have to continue to learn. He’s going to make plays, he’s going to make mistakes. He needs to grow up quickly because we’re going to need him. I think his future is very, very bright at Ohio State.”
The last Ohio State player to win the Outland Trophy was legendary tackle Orlando Pace in 1996.
This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Aug 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
