Rivals100 EDGE Eddrick Houston reacts to Clemson offer, talks top schools
Eddrick Houston is emerging as one of the top EDGE prospects in the 2024 class.
The Buford High School product has offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, and others. His most recent offer came from Clemson came on June 1.
Houston spoke with Rivals about that offer from the Tigers, as well as some of the schools standing out most to him at this point in his recruitment.
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In His Own Words
On Clemson: "I didn’t do a camp up there, I did an unofficial visit. I like to see the school and what it has to offer before I want to go up there and camp. But what I saw is amazing, the weight room, my tour guide was great. All-around, just good program."
On the offer from the Tigers: "It was Coach (Dabo) Swinney that offered me. I was in shock half the time because he told us in the middle of it. I was just in shock. He wasn’t really pushing like Clemson, Clemson, Clemson. It was more like he gave an offer, but he wants me to go where’s best for me. He’s going to tell me Clemson because he’s there, but he really wants me to go where’s best for me."
On Georgia: "I grew up watching Georgia because I’m originally from Atlanta. I just like the way they’ve been able to keep on winning, keeping the same defense even when they switch coaches. Kirby Smart’s a great coach, bringing in great players and great coaches to help out the players."
On where the Bulldogs are recruiting him: "Georgia’s in the middle of whether they want me to be a three-technique or rush outside as a Jack. More than likely, they’re going to play me like they did Travon Walker, have me inside but also I can rush outside. My weight’s going up. I just spent time in (defensive line coach Tray) Scott’s room and Coach D (Chidera Uzo-Diribe, outside linebackers coach).
On the defensive end development at Ohio State: "It’s crazy. The d-ends they’ve produced like the Bosa brothers, Chase Young, still in the NFL, contributing at an early level all of them, it’s just crazy."
On if Ohio State sees him growing into a 4-3 defensive end: "Yeah, they see me going as a stay outside guy. I’m not sure whether or not they would bring me inside, but the way they’re talking probably not."
On the coaches at Ohio State: "Since they just got a new coaching staff, I see some just come and go. Coach Perry (Eliano, safeties) is one of them, Larry Johnson (defensive line) is the main one. Those are the main two. (Johnson) is cool, not a bragger even though he’s put so many kids in the NFL. Just calm, wants to tell you about, not how good you are but what you can work on as you’re going through your season."
On Alabama: "They want me as an outside linebacker, and I would do that. Nick Saban’s a great guy, same way with his players. All calm and cool in meetings when he’s talking to you, but when he’s on the field he snaps and turns into a different one."
On a player comparison from the Crimson Tide: "They’ve compared me to Will Anderson. It just means I’ve got to keep working to live up to that standard of them even thinking that I could be one of them."
On his summer plans: "Right now, just trying to stick with Buford right now. Don’t want to miss too many practices. I might take a trip down to Florida on like a Saturday or something, but right now just trying to get ready with my team."
On his commitment timeline: "Still trying to feel it out. After my junior year of football, that’s when I’ll start getting my top 10 ready."
Rivals Reaction
Georgia has emerged as one of the favorites for Houston. The player development and relationships with the coaching staff have clearly resonated with Houston at this point. Each top school has sent quality defensive line and EDGE prospects to the NFL in recent years, so it will come down to which coaching staff bonds with Houston best. Clemson could work itself into being a serious contender as well after offering on Houston's visit to campus.