Alabama Football: A 5-Star flip could put a coach in jeopardy
By Ronald Evans
Alabama Football could be close to stealing a 5-Star recruit from the Ohio State Buckeyes. Eddrick Houston from Buford, GA is, according to the 247Sports Composite, the No. 26 player in the 2024 Signing Class and the fifth-best defensive lineman.
Houston is the second-highest rated verbal commit in Ohio State's class. Until a couple of days ago, Houston was believed to be locked-in to the Buckeyes. Suddenly that changed when it was learned Houston visited Clemson, followed by a weekend trip to Tuscaloosa.
Alabama extended an offer to Houston over two years ago. This past June Houston took an official visit to Tuscaloosa, but two months later he committed to Ohio State.
What has caused an explosion in Buckeye country is the Ohio State staff was unaware Houston was visiting other schools. Houston's primary recruiter for the Buckeyes is Larry Johnson. Johnson is in his 10th season with Ohio State and his 26th season of coaching. Rumors have been circulating that Johnson will retire after this season. As his future position coach, Larry Johnson is believed to be a big reason why Houston committed to Ohio State.
Alabama Football: Ohio State Fans Looking For Blame
Some Ohio State fans have already concluded Alabama Football and Nick Saban have flipped Eddrick Houston. Not only are they angry, but many of them are assigning blame to not only Larry Johnson, but also Ryan Day.
Not good at all for the Buckeyes — limping to the finish line. https://t.co/Z9FjSpesVS
— Football By Fav (@FootballByFav) December 16, 2023
If Eddrick Houston flips, Larry Johnson must be fired.
— Buckeye Realm (@BuckeyeRealm_) December 16, 2023
Eddrick Houston is flipping from Ohio State to Alabama. Pack your bags you old man @R2X_Rushmen just a absolutely horrible effort from this coaching staff man… @ryandaytime @markpantoni you guys are getting made a fool out of…
— Osubucks001 (@osubucks2024) December 16, 2023
Nick Saban and the Alabama staff do not lessen their efforts when a key recruit commits to another program. That has certainly been the case with Eddrick Houston. Playing closer to home might also be a factor for Houston, as well as the established relationships Alabama has with the Buford High School program.
The other recruiting advantage for Alabama is the GOAT is still a master at closing. Nick Saban does not gain every player he wants, but he does not miss out on many of the elite ones at the end of recruiting cycles.
Alabama getting the last visit for Eddrick Houston is hilarious, Saban picks and chooses this time a year.
— CFBLIVE247 (@CFBLive247_) December 16, 2023
Hopefully, on Wednesday the dotted line Eddrick Houston signs will be one sent to the Alabama Crimson Tide.