Five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., the top-ranked wideout in the 2026 recruiting class, has firmly reaffirmed his commitment to Ohio State, which he made official in July 2023.
Henry, the son of the late Chris Henry, a standout wide receiver at West Virginia and former NFL player, has been the subject of rumors recently.
On3’s Michigan Recruiting Insider E.J. Holland stirred speculation about the Wolverines possibly making a play for the coveted recruit.
“Michigan has the NIL backing to make a push for five-star Ohio State WR commit Chris Henry Jr. Will the Wolverines do just that? It’s no secret Bryce Underwood needs an elite weapon,” Holland posted on X.
In response to these rumors, Henry chose a unique way to set the record straight.
Without any words, he shared an image of Ohio State wide receivers coach Brian Hartline smoking a celebratory cigar, sending a clear message about his loyalty to the Buckeyes.
While Michigan’s interest in Henry may not be completely ruled out, his actions leave little doubt about his current intentions.
Despite the everchanging recruiting landscape where “commitments” seem anything but, it appears Henry is firmly on track to join Ohio State, barring any dramatic change.
This news is a positive development for the Buckeyes, which has been known for its elite wide receiver play in recent years. Should Henry remain committed, he will add to an already impressive group of talent.
“Henry checks off every box you want to see in a next level receiver,” Greg Biggins of 247Sports wrote in his scouting report. “In fact, despite not playing a ‘premium’ position from an NFL Draft standpoint, he’s good enough to warrant consideration as the top overall recruit in the ’26 class, much like Jeremiah Smith was in the class of ’24.
“At close to 6-6 and 195 pounds, Henry is one of the longest receivers in the ’26 class but has surprisingly agility and lateral quickness. He’s explosive out of the gate, can stop and start on a dime, change direction and obviously has that huge catch radius.
“He has the long speed to stretch the field and hit the home run but the size and sure handedness to be a go to guy on key third down situations. He’s dominant in the air on jump balls and as he fills out some and he gains strength, his game will take off to another level.”
Henry has maintained his commitment to Ohio State despite taking unofficial visits to USC and Oregon last November.
As of now, he remains one of four prospects already committed to the Buckeyes for the 2026 recruiting cycle.
Assuming Henry honors his word and ends up in Columbus, the program will add yet another dynamic player to an already loaded wide receiver room, continuing its legacy of producing elite talent at the position.
What are your thoughts on the rumors that Michigan could try to steal Henry away from Ohio State? … Can you see it happening if the money is right???
