Chris Henry Jr. Commits to OSU Despite Oregon, USC Interest on Early NSD
Chris Henry Jr., a standout wide receiver from the 2026 recruiting class, declared his intention to commit to Ohio State University (OSU) on Early National Signing Day. Although he has not yet signed the official documents, his decision highlights significant interest from top-tier programs like Oregon and USC.
Recruitment Details
Henry Jr. has garnered attention as a 5-star recruit, ranking as the No. 10 overall player in his class and the top wide receiver in California, according to 247Sports. His impressive stature of 6’5″ and 205 pounds, coupled with his speed and agility, has drawn comparisons to Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins.
Scholarship Offers
Amidst a competitive recruitment landscape, Henry Jr. received scholarship offers from several prestigious programs:
- Oregon
- USC
- Alabama
- Georgia
- LSU
- Michigan
- Notre Dame
- Penn State
- Texas
Family Legacy
Chris Henry Jr. is the son of the late Chris Henry, a former NFL wide receiver who played five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. The elder Henry was a third-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft and recorded 119 receptions for 1,826 yards and 21 touchdowns before his untimely passing in 2009 at age 26.
Future at Ohio State
Joining Ohio State could benefit Henry Jr. immensely. The Buckeyes have a well-established reputation for developing elite wide receivers who transition successfully to the NFL. Current NFL talents from OSU include:
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seattle Seahawks)
- Garrett Wilson (New York Jets)
- Emeka Egbuka (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
- Chris Olave (New Orleans Saints)
- Marvin Harrison Jr. (Arizona Cardinals)
- Terry McLaurin (Washington Commanders)
Brian Hartline, a former wide receiver at OSU and current assistant coach, has been influential in developing the school’s wide receiver pipeline to the NFL. He has been promoted to offensive coordinator and is expected to take over as head coach at South Florida soon, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
As Chris Henry Jr. considers his future, he continues to attract interest and speculation about his college football career. His decision to lean toward Ohio State could reshape not only his journey but potentially the dynamics of college football recruitment.
