The nation’s No. 1 wide receiver, Chris Henry Jr., has officially brought an end to the most intense drama of the Early Signing Period by confirming his commitment to the Ohio State Buckeyes. After days of speculation that he might flip his pledge to rivals like Oregon or USC, Henry Jr. signed his National Letter of Intent with Ohio State, ensuring the highly coveted five-star prospect will join the Buckeyes’ elite wide receiver pipeline.
The intense saga was triggered earlier this week by the shock news that Buckeyes Wide Receivers Coach Brian Hartline Henry’s primary recruiter and mentor was leaving the program for the head coaching job at USF. This sudden coaching change led Henry Jr. to delay his official signing on Wednesday, opening the door for rivals to make an aggressive, last-minute push that included significant NIL offers.
Despite the high-stakes pressure and the uncertainty surrounding the Ohio State coaching staff, the 6-foot-5 receiver ultimately stayed loyal to his verbal commitment, which had been in place since July 2023. This decision ensures that Ohio State maintains one of the top recruiting classes in the nation and continues its remarkable streak of landing the country’s best receiving talent.
While there was widespread speculation that Henry Jr. would make a dramatic announcement regarding his final choice on a national platform like The Pat McAfee Show, he instead chose to solidify his commitment quietly on Wednesday. The move represents a major victory for Head Coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes, who successfully navigated a difficult week to retain their highest-rated recruit.
