Throughout the 2025 season, Ohio State has alternated between Eddrick Houston and Tywone Malone Jr. at the No. 2 defensive tackle spot.
While the two have battled it out all year long for the chance to start next to unanimous All-American defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, a starting spot isn’t on the minds of either Houston or Malone.
While Houston and Malone have technically been competing all season for the chance to start next to McDonald, neither views the situation through the lens of receiving individual opportunities.
Instead, the two have embraced the rotation as a shared responsibility, one rooted in trust and a team-first mentality, Malone said.
“We both just give our intel on the game,” Malone told BSB. “When he’s in, he tells me what’s going on, and when I’m in I tell him what’s going on. It’s great, because we know we can play hard for each other, and then one of us gets tired, we know the other one’s going to come and do the same thing, and back us up. So it’s good to have that mix. We don’t worry about how long you have to play for, we just play as long as you can before the next one (subs in).”
That constant exchange of information has helped both defensive tackles stay locked in, even when they’re on the sideline.
Rather than disengaging between series, Houston and Malone treat every snap as a learning opportunity, studying how opponents attack them the interior of Ohio State’s defense.
Malone said it’s that mindset that allows both players to stay fresh and play at full speed on every play for Ohio State’s defensive front.
“It’s good to have that mix,” Malone said. “We don’t worry about how long you have to play for, we just play as long as you can before the next one subs in.”
Houston echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the confidence the pair has built in one another over the course of the season.
“I know when I’m down, he’s going to pick you up,” Houston said. “We also have that confidence, knowing that when the other goes in the game, he will do his job.”
With McDonald commanding double teams on many snaps, Houston and Malone are often tasked with capitalizing on one-on-one opportunities, controlling gaps in the run game and pushing the pocket in passing situations.
Their ability to stay fresh by rotating in has helped the Buckeyes maintain consistent pressure along the defensive line deep into games.
Malone’s mindset reflects the broader culture within Ohio State’s program, one that prioritizes winning over personal accolades.
“Team above self,” Malone said. “So really, it’s whatever the team needs, I’m willing to do. So if that is, for instance, going in on third down and doing my thing, then I’ll do that, because it’ll help the team get better and help us get to where we want to go.”
Houston said he approaches the role with the same mentality, focusing less on who starts and more on being prepared when his name is called.
“Just be ready when your number’s called,” Houston said. “It doesn’t matter who is going to be out there first, we are all going to go in. ‘What do we have to do to help our teammates win?’ That’s the mindset.”
In 12 games played, Malone and Houston have totaled 25 and 16 tackles, respectively, ranking 11th and 14th on the team. Malone added a quarterback hurry and two pass breakups, while Houston tallied 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Prior to Ohio State’s matchup with Miami, Houston praised the Hurricanes’ offensive line for its consistency and discipline throughout the season.
“They average one sack (allowed) per game, that’s pretty good,” Houston said. “So just being able to sustain that, especially throughout this long season, it’s pretty good. So we just have to go out there, follow our game plan, listen to what (defensive line coach) Larry Johnson has for us to be able to help us get past them, or be able to stop whatever they’re wanting to do. But they’re a really good team, so we’re just excited.”
