Chris Henry Jr. gives Ohio State first member in 2026 class, Brian Hartline recruiting run continues

COLUMBUS — Ohio State continues to flawlessly recruit the wide receiver position.

The Buckeyes are poised to sign the best class in the 2024 cycle with five-star duo Jeremiah Smith and Mylan Graham committed. There’s even room for a third — looking at you, Jeremiah McClellan.

While the 2025 picture remains a little murky, 2026 is as clear as can be.

Potential future five-star Cincinnati (Ohio) Withrow wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., walked out of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and was going to hold back his news. It took some distanced ribbing from Adam “Pac-Man” Jones for him to blurt out the good word.

The 2026 wide receiver committed to the Buckeyes.

“Today just felt like a great day [to commit],” Henry Jr. said. “I was ready. When I talked to coach Ryan Day today, there was no point in waiting anymore.”

Henry Jr. is only entering his second year of high school, and truthfully, is only at the beginning of a lot of things in his young life. But he’s mature beyond his years from life events on and off the field. He knows that many recruitments, especially ones like his, come with a lot of noise and extra attention.

The 6-foot-4, 180-pound prefers to live in silence.

“[Ohio State] is just hard to turn down for me,” he said. “It’s perfect for me.”

It certainly is perfect for him. The campus is only a short hour and a half drive away from his family in Cincinnati. Not only that, but it’s perfect for him because of the production and what wide receivers mean to Ohio State.

It’s perfect, because of Brian Hartline.

The Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator and wide receiver coach is one of the most revered position coaches in the nation. Whether it’s on the field and his development or his skills on the trail, Hartline continues to show up daily and prove he’s one of the best.

And again, it’s worth stating the impressive — borderline ridiculous — wide receiver production Ohio State has had. Terry McLaurin, Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and soon enough, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka.

Take a look at what’s coming up next too. Brandon Inniss, Carnell Tate, Noah Rogers, Bryson Rodgers, Jeremiah Smith and Mylan Graham.

Now add Chris Henry Jr. to the mix.

With his recruitment already behind him, the rising sophomore can focus on his own football development for Withrow. And once the 2026 cycle really ramps up, peer recruiting.

Chris Henry Jr. probably would’ve kept his news to himself. He prefers to live in silence.

But it was time to let the world know what he is.

A Buckeye.

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