Ohio State true freshman not named Jeremiah Smith emerged as future superstar against Oregon

Ohio State fans are already proud of the accolades that Jeremiah Smith have earned in his true freshman season, but there’s another frosh emerging as the face of the Buckeyes in front of our eyes. 5-star defensive lineman Eddrick Houston was a disruptive presence against an excellent Oregon offensive line. Houston, who moved from being an edge defender to an interior tackle during the season, figures to start in 2025.

“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. The talented freshman out of Buford, Georgia has been lining up at the 3-tech, a spot that he could stay. Houston is at least going to remain a defensive tackle for the short term, and it very well could end up long-term

“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.”

He’s been breaking into the rotation each week, notching 85 of his 116 snaps since Week 11. With Houston proving to be a more effective pass-rusher than senior Tyleik Williams, it makes sense for the Buckeyes to continue deploying the true freshman