5-star DL Eddrick Houston updates Alabama pursuit, schedules official visit to Bama

Buford (Ga.) High defensive lineman Eddrick Houston is a priority target for Alabama. Checking in as the No. 15 overall prospect in the 2024 class, Houston has been in possession of an offer from Bama for over a year, and remains in constant contact with the staff.

After visiting Tuscaloosa in early April, Houston has scheduled his official visit to Alabama.

“I set up my official visit from June 23-25,” Houston told BamaInsider. “I really just like the coaching staff and the way they coach. The players are great people. They try to coach you up, even though you’re not even there yet. Just tell you things to help you out in high school.

“I like Coach [Freddie] Roach and the way he coaches,” Houston added. “Nick Saban is the G.O.A.T. Things like that have opened my eyes to Alabama.”

When asked what are the first things that come to mind when he thinks of the Tide, Houston immediately pointed to their culture and player development.

“Definitely the culture,” Houston said. “You can tell they all buy in. Obviously, with their track record, they have success all over the place. They’re able to develop kids and take them to the next level. You can see that now with Will Anderson going high in the draft. Then, you have Dallas Turner who will probably do the same thing. They always bring in talent, so you’re going to be going up against the best of the best every day.”

Houston has visited T-Town for two spring practices, a summer trip, and their game against Vanderbilt last season.

“Really, just the grind every day in practice,” Houston said of what has stood out on these visits. “They’re competing, but still loving each other. Then, at the games, you can tell they’re all one. They’re all together and they all play together. That really catches my eye.”

Eddrick Houston talks Alabama d-line coach Freddie Roach: “He’s a great coach.”

Diving into Alabama’s pursuit of him, Houston says the staff is not yet sure if they want him to play defensive end or outside linebacker in their scheme. It will ultimately depend on what weight Houston settles in at, with his current measurables being 6-foot-3, 255 pounds.

“They’ve compared me to Will Anderson,” Houston said of Alabama’s message to him. “Just an outstanding player. They said I can do what he does a little bit… it made me feel good that my work has paid off to be compared to someone of that caliber.”

Houston is primarily in touch with Freddie Roach and area recruiter Travaris Robinson from Alabama. Roach continues to be someone who Houston speaks highly of.

“He’s a great coach,” Houston said of Roach. “Always pulls me to the side and tries to watch film with me. Film of them or film of me to critique things I’ve done and things I can fix to help me in high school to proceed to the next level.

“I like the way he coaches,” Houston added. “He coaches his kids hard but, also off the field, you can tell he loves his kids as well. That really means a lot because a lot of coaches are out there to coach and don’t really think about the players. There, you can tell it’s not just about football; it’s about how the players are doing.”

Of course, Roach, Robinson, and the rest of the staff aren’t the only ones recruiting Houston to Alabama. Buford alumni Jake Pope, Justice Haynes, Isaiah Bond, and Seth McLaughlin all talk to him during his time on campus.

Their message to the nation’s fourth-ranked defensive lineman?

“Come to Alabama,” Houston replied. “They definitely love it. They definitely try to recruit me every time they see me. Justice Haynes, every time he comes up here, he’s like, ‘Eddrick, make the move! Eddrick make the move! It’s amazing.’ I tell him, ‘Got to wait. Got to wait. Need to see what I need to see first.’”

Decision date is just over three months away for Houston

As for his recruitment in general, Houston intends on announcing his commitment on Aug. 22, which is his birthday. It was previously Dec. 9, but Houston wants to be locked in on his senior season without the additional stress of the recruiting process.

Houston, who will more than likely be a mid-year enrollee, has a list of criteria that he wants his future school to meet. He’s looking at the academic and athletic opportunities at a college, as well as the community of the fans, students, and players.

Houston has a top 10 in place right now, but is there a leader amongst that bunch?

“Can’t answer that,” Houston replied.

Alabama fans, also be sure to join the discussion about Eddrick Houston on the Talk of Champions message board. There’s always a lot of great team, recruiting, and off-topic conversations going on. So, we look forward to talking with you all there!

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