Fall camp is supposed to be exciting. It’s when position battles heat up, new leaders emerge. And fans get their first real taste of what the new season might look like. For Ohio State, coming off a national title run, expectations couldn’t be higher. The offense is deep, the coaching staff is locked in, and the defensive unit is packed with both returning talent and hungry new faces.

But day one of training camp didn’t exactly end on a high note. What started as a routine opening practice quickly shifted into concern when one of Ryan Day’s most important defensive pieces went down late in the session. The injury immediately sent a jolt through the program, not just because of who it was, but because of where it happened. Of all the units on the roster. There’s one spot that doesn’t have the luxury of losing a starter: the interior defensive line.

That’s why fans were holding their breath when word got out that sophomore defensive tackle Eddrick Houston, expected to step into the role vacated by NFL first-rounder Tyleik Williams, had to be helped off the field after suffering a leg injury. An OSU insider revealed that Ryan Day offered little clarity after practice. “He said he hasn’t talked with anyone yet about the injury Eddrick Houston suffered late in today’s practice,” he tweeted. It emphasizes that DT is one of the few spots left where Ohio State can’t afford a long-term absence.

Houston isn’t just another piece; he’s widely viewed as Tyleik Williams’s successor. Williams, a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, was a dominant inside presence and a cornerstone in last year’s championship puzzle. Replacing his production was going to be a test, but it looked doable with Houston and McDonald being projected starters. Now that the forward path has a major question mark.

Depth beyond the top two isn’t encouraging, either. Players like Will Smith Jr., Tywone Malone Jr., and Jason Moore are next in line. But combined, they logged fewer than 200 snaps last season. The severity of Houston’s injury remains unknown for now, and OSU hasn’t shared a timeline. For all we know, this could be a minor setback. But considering how important that defensive tackle spot was in stopping the run and generating interior pressure. Even a short absence would ripple across the roster. The only faint silver lining? The severity of Houston’s injury is still unknown, so fans are clinging to the hope that it’s nothing serious to sideline him for the season.

Fans rally with prayers after Eddrick Houston’s injury

Fans and players were quick on social media to write, “Praying for Eddrick Houston. DT is the last spot on the team to have any significant injuries.” It’s a valid concern. Houston was viewed as the next man up in a position group that anchored Ohio State’s title-winning defense last year. Williams’ departure to the NFL left a massive void. But the staff believed they had groomed Houston to be the answer.

“Worst position to have an injury.” That was the overwhelming sentiment across Buckeye Nation after word broke that sophomore defensive tackle had to be helped off the field on the very first day of practice. Another fan echoed the same concern. “Injury on Day 1? Crazy.” Few fans seemed optimistic as they wrote. “We heard this about the O-line last year, and you guys were wrong. We will be just fine.”

Another user wrote, “Terrible news.” For many, the optimism was tempered by just how things Ohio State’s defensive tackle room really is heading into 2025. It’s too early to sound alarms, but at a place like Columbus, the margin of error is thin. So even short-term absence of a cornerstone player could ripple, especially as Ohio State eyes another national title push.