Chris Henry Jr., the 5-star wideout from Mater Dei, has been locked in with OSU since July 2023. But as signing day inches closer, the recruiting drama isn’t over. While Henry remains committed, he’s still exploring his options, lining up visits. And ESPN put it best, writing, “Even as Henry plans to visit Oregon and LSU this summer, he remains firm in his commitment to arrive at Ohio State in 2026.” However, here, the 6-foot-5, 195-pound playmaker—ranked No. 14 nationally and the No. 2 WR in the 2026 class—is keeping things interesting. Now, with Big 10 rivals circling and powerhouse programs in the mix, his latest update could spell trouble for Ryan Day’s Buckeyes.
On March 25, Chris Henry Jr. gave a fresh update on his recruitment in an interview with Josh Newberg of On3. While his commitment to OSU stands, the chase isn’t over. And powerhouses like USC, Oregon, and Miami are still pushing hard to flip him. Even Henry isn’t shutting any doors just yet. Well, this spring, he plans to visit all 3 programs before locking in official visits—Miami on May 30, USC on June 6, and Oregon on June 13. So, with top programs making their move, the battle for the 5-star receiver is far from settled.
And now, with top programs still in pursuit, the standout WR is feeling the weight of the process. “Ever since I moved out here a lot of teams have definitely been on me more… it’s been a little stressful,” said Henry Jr. Adding, “It’s really just Oregon, USC, and Miami right now. Those are the schools I’ve been talking to the most.” So, despite his commitment to OSU, Ryan Day can’t afford to rest easy.
Look, so far this year, Oregon has been one of the hottest names in recruiting. The Ducks have built a strong pipeline with Mater Dei, already landing 2 of Henry’s teammates—DL Tomuhini Tupoi and OT Kodi Greene. Right now, after another visit to Eugene, Henry remains impressed with Dan Lanning, new WR coach Ross Douglas, and the entire staff. Following that, he said, “The amazing atmosphere they have up there, they have an amazing coaching staff, they’re recruiting me really hard. They’re making it known that it’s not gonna be easy for me to leave west.”
Ohio State 5-star WR commit Chris Henry Jr. updates his recruitment with @josh_newberg as Oregon, USC and Miami continue to push
Henry, the No. 2 WR in the 2026 class, has been committed to the Buckeyes since July of 2023
Read: https://t.co/OXDYEsst4L pic.twitter.com/gIWJsMHZFm
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) March 25, 2025
While with the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class, USC is stacking talent and gaining momentum, Henry currently attends USC, just a short drive from campus. Well, staying in California has its perks, and the Trojans are making a strong case. “It’s pretty cool, weather’s great out here. The coaches reach out all the time, I chop it up with all their coaches, it’s been pretty cool,” said Henry after his USC visit. So, keep in mind, with hometown ties and a powerhouse class forming, the Trojans remain a serious contender in his recruitment.
And when it comes to Miami, Henry has had the Hurricanes on his radar for years. So, for now, HC Mario Cristobal and his staff refuse to back down, even if they don’t carry the same hype as the West Coast powerhouses. “They offered me in eighth grade, so I already knew all their coaches since then. They never stop recruiting me, they’ve always been on me,” said Henry Jr. To be honest, with long-standing ties and relentless pursuit, Miami remains a dark-horse contender in his recruitment.
So, the pressure is on for Ryan Day if he wants to lock in Chris Henry Jr. And why wouldn’t every top program chase him? His numbers speak for themselves. Henry earned MaxPreps Freshman All-American honors in 2022 for his dynamic two-way play at West Clermont High School. Then, as a sophomore at Withrow High, he shattered records—hauling in 71 catches for 1,127 yards and 10 TDs. As of now, with talent like that, it’s no surprise powerhouse programs are doing everything they can to flip him.
Buckeye fans don’t panic just yet. In his interview with On3, Chris Henry Jr. emphasized his deep connection with Ohio State—especially his strong bond with the OSU receivers’ coach.
Chris Henry Jr.’s deep roots with OSU
Look, with Brian Hartline still leading the charge, OSU’s WR legacy is as strong as ever. In his vision, Chris Henry Jr. is thriving among Jeremiah Smith and other top receivers in Columbus. And now, despite speculation about Hartline’s future, he remains fully committed—still wearing scarlet and gray, still strengthening his bond with Henry, the prized gem of OSU’s 2026 class.
Here, Henry Jr. made it clear—his bond with Hartline runs deep, stating “Honestly, I knew (Hartline) wasn’t gonna leave. Him being from Ohio, he bleeds Ohio State… We’ve been building this relationship since eighth grade.” That trust keeps the Buckeyes in a strong position, even as other programs push hard. Furthermore, Henry is set to visit Columbus on April 5 for spring ball and will return for his final official visit on June 20. So, with OSU getting the last word, Ryan Day and Hartline have a prime chance to lock in their star recruit.
Although Ohio State is still in the driver’s seat, the competition isn’t backing down. Right now, with key visits ahead, Henry knows his choice will come down to comfort, trust, and development—”where I feel comfortable at, where my mom trusts me,” said the WR, making it clear the race isn’t over yet.
Now, let’s see who wins the race.
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