Ohio State DL Eddrick Houston Bounces Back From 2025 Injury

After a tough sophomore season, the defensive lineman is primed for a breakout year.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 1:56pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a defensive lineman making a tackle, with sharp geometric shapes and bold colors capturing the raw energy and motion of the play.Ohio State's Eddrick Houston looks to build on his late-season surge and become a disruptive force on the defensive line.Columbus Today

Ohio State defensive lineman Eddrick Houston struggled mentally and physically in 2025 after suffering an early-season knee injury. But the talented sophomore has used the offseason to get his body and mindset right, and is now poised for a big junior campaign.

Why it matters

Houston was a highly touted recruit, and Ohio State is counting on him to be a key contributor on the defensive line this season. If he can regain his form, it will be a major boost for the Buckeyes' defense as they look to compete for a national championship.

The details

Houston admitted that he let the mental aspect of the game get to him in 2025 after the knee injury. He felt like he was letting down his coaches, teammates, and fans. But he was able to turn things around later in the season, and is now focused on improving his conditioning and technique in the offseason.

  • Houston suffered the knee injury on the first day of fall camp in 2025.
  • He started the season opener against Texas but struggled with his production throughout the first few games.
  • Houston lost his starting job to senior Tywone Malone Jr. by the third game of the 2025 season.
  • He missed the Illinois game in week six but came back strong, recording 16 of his 21 tackles after that game.
  • In Ohio State's playoff game against Miami, Houston had 5 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

The players

Eddrick Houston

A defensive lineman for Ohio State who was highly touted coming out of high school, but struggled with a knee injury and mental hurdles in his sophomore season.

Tywone Malone Jr.

A senior defensive lineman at Ohio State who took over Houston's starting job early in the 2025 season.

Larry Johnson

The defensive line coach at Ohio State who has seen improvements in Houston's physical and mental game this offseason.

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What they’re saying

“Ninety percent of football is mental. That's what I really struggled with, because I had a great offseason. ... I was just battling it a lot. Just being able to keep going, keep practicing.”

— Eddrick Houston, Ohio State Defensive Lineman

“He's in the best position possible. He's healthier, and now he's got a chance to play a lot of football for us. So, I think last year was a learning experience for him.”

— Larry Johnson, Ohio State Defensive Line Coach

What’s next

Houston will look to carry his offseason improvements into a strong performance in Ohio State's spring game, as he aims to regain his starting job and become a key contributor on the defensive line this fall.

The takeaway

Eddrick Houston's struggles in 2025 were a valuable learning experience, and he has used the offseason to get his mind and body right. If he can stay healthy and play with confidence, he has the potential to be a dominant force on Ohio State's defensive line this season.