Signing day is never without a bit of drama. Alabama football was was reportedly close to being on the winning side of it on Wednesday, but Ohio State was able to fend off a late flip attempt for five-star defensive lineman Eddrick Houston.

Houston is listed as the No. 5 defensive line prospect in the country according to the 247Sports composite, which also tabs him as the nation’s No. 26 overall player in the class of 2024. He’ll join the Buckeyes after playing his high school football at Buford in Georgia.

Several national recruiting reporters had predicted Houston would flip his commitment to Alabama on Wednesday. However, On3′s Hayes Fawcett announced the five-star was sticking with his initial pledge as Buford’s signing ceremony began.

The 6-foot-3, 265-pound lineman originally chose Ohio State over the Crimson Tide, as well as Georgia, Clemson and Southern Cal. He stands as the fifth-ranked prospect in the talent-rich state of Georgia.

“Could fit into a variety of different fronts and schemes depending on how the body fills out, but has found the most success to date crashing off the edge,” 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivens wrote of Houston. “Not the most explosive individual, but has a rare top-end gear for someone his size, which allows him to get across the field and make plays in back-side pursuit. Effective with both a long-arm move and a bull rush at this stage.”

Houston was one of nine players signing an NLI from Buford on Wednesday. That group included five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola, who signed with Nebraska after flipping his commitment from Georgia.

The Crimson Tide did land another flip around the same time on Wednesday. Wideout Aeryn Hampton flipped his commitment from Texas to Alabama.

Without Houston, Alabama holds commitments from two defensive linemen in the 2024 class, along with Texas A&M transfer LT Overton. The early signing period runs through Friday.