Projected starting defensive tackle Eddrick Houston exited Ohio State’s first official preseason practice with a lower-leg injury. According to initial reports, the injury does not appear to be serious and is not expected to be long-term
Head coach Ryan Day offered cautious optimism right after the session, stating:
“I haven’t talked to the trainers. We’ll go from there once we talk to them.”
Later updates, including from ESPN insider Pete Thamel, reinforced that early evaluations indicate no season-ending damage—though it’s still unclear how much practice time Houston might miss
🔍 What Ryan Day Said
Day reiterated that the details are still pending confirmation from medical staff. Given the position’s importance and pre-existing depth concerns, Ohio State fans will be watching closely.
🧩 Why It Matters: Depth at Defensive Tackle
- Houston is expected to take on the 3-technique defensive tackle role alongside nose tackle Kayden McDonald in the 2025 rotation
- With both starting interior defensive linemen from the 2024 championship team moving on, there’s heightened pressure on developing young players to step up consistently
- If Houston misses time, Ohio State will likely turn to backups such as Will Smith Jr., Jason Moore, or Tywone Malone Jr.—none of whom have significant game experience
🚀 The Outlook: A Path God Forward
Entering his sophomore year, Houston is already considered one of the Buckeyes’ most promising defensive linemen:
- A former five-star recruit and early enrollee, he logged the most defensive snaps among freshmen in 2024 and contributed in all four College Football Playoff games
- After beginning as a defensive end, a mid-season move to defensive tackle unlocked his potential at 3‑technique—a shift with growing returns on the field
- Coach Day has consistently praised his physical tools and early flashes in the new position:
“He has the size, the power, the strength, the toughness to play inside for us.”
“He’s really flashed for us making the move … he has a lot of ability and he is active.”
✅ Final Take
While the midcamp injury is certainly a concern given defensive tackle depth issues, all indications suggest it’s minor. Ryan Day will monitor Houston’s condition while RSVPing backup options if needed.
When healthy, Houston is poised to anchor a young Ohio State front and potentially break out as a standout defender in 2025. Keep an eye on projected depth reports as camp progresses.
Would you like insights into potential backups or a preview of OSU’s defensive rotation heading into the season?
