Ohio State got a magnificent start to their 2026 recruiting class when in-state wide receiver, Chris Henry Jr., made his verbal commitment while visiting campus.
The son of former NFL wide receiver Chris Henry, who passed away late in 2009, has his father’s size at 6-foot, 5-inches and 185-pounds. The younger Henry won’t follow in his father’s footsteps and attend West Virginia, choosing to stay home and play for the Buckeyes instead.
Ohio State’s wide receiver room once again adds another elite prospect at the position and after watching Henry Jr.’s freshman highlights, you can see why the Buckeyes wanted to add him.
I will undoubtedly do another one of these as Henry Jr. progresses through high school, but this is what I saw following his first year of football at that level.
Ceiling
Chris Henry Jr. Is The Goods
Brian Hartline & Ohio State
Wasted no time offering him
Class Of 2026 pic.twitter.com/yjFQgTxKqZ— Gifted (@G0dGiven_) March 25, 2023
Scout’s view
It’s just different when you watch Henry Jr.’s tape and think about the age gap he has playing against his current competition. If you told me that he was a junior, I’d believe it. Although Henry Jr. is raw with some of his skill set (route running in particular) just being reminded that he is just entering his sophomore year is almost unthinkable. He has the frame, lineage, and ability to be the next in line at Ohio State.
Electricity
Chris Henry Jr. big play alert!
He took it 67 yards to the house.
Make it our top play with a LIKE or RT. @WCHSWolvesFB @ChrisHenryJr @REALPACMAN24 #Fox19FinalQuarter @fox19 @brysonearley1 pic.twitter.com/MqMO5xhhjr
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) October 15, 2022
Scout’s view
Typically when you see a receiver Henry Jr.’s size, they’re more of a plodding type, can’t really stretch the field but is a killer in the red zone. This young man has the quickness of a slot receiver, but the size of an outside player. Henry Jr. can take a short screen to the house in the blink of an eye. His speed and change of direction aren’t often seen out of a player with his frame. Henry Jr. is flat-out electric with the ball.
Ball skills
2026 WR Chris Henry Jr. makes a catch against 2025 CB Dorian Brew in one-on-ones. pic.twitter.com/IvXQZ6aoiZ
— Garrick Hodge (@Garrick_Hodge) June 8, 2023
Scout’s view
Henry Jr. is a terror for opposing defenders because his athletic ability allows him to jump higher than most to catch balls at their peak elevation. He uses his large frame to shield off corners or safeties while the ball is in the air with elite body control. The athleticism allows him to play some safety where the ball skills are shown once again.
What to expect
2026 wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. commits to Ohio State during Buckeyes’ SummerFest event.@ChrisHenryJr | @ChadSimmons_ | @SpencerHolbrook pic.twitter.com/MnUV7Q0l8T
— Matt Parker (@MattParkerLR) July 28, 2023
The future
As mentioned before, Henry Jr. is far from a finished product, but what he is currently would rank among the top 10 at his position in the 2024 class. It would not surprise me at all to see him ranked as a 5-star as soon as recruiting services set up their initial 2026 rankings. This young man is special and the pipeline of elite wide receiver prospects continues through Columbus.
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