Eric Boggs
Chris Henry Jr. will be a Buckeye after all, and the moment his decision became official sent shockwaves—and celebrations—throughout Buckeye Nation. During the live stream of his announcement on The OHIO Podcast, hosts Eric Boggs and Shaun Shrock reacted with the kind of pure joy reserved for winning a national championship, erupting in celebration as the five-star phenom reaffirmed his commitment.
Henry, the top-ranked wide receiver in the 2026 class, announced Friday on The Pat McAfee Show that he is signing with Ohio State. The decision came just two days after he delayed signing due to Brian Hartline’s departure to become South Florida’s new head coach.
Although Henry has been committed to Ohio State since July 2023 and publicly shut down his recruitment last spring, Wednesday’s first day of the early signing period brought genuine uncertainty. With Hartline gone, Oregon surged as the perceived favorite to flip him, while Texas also remained in the mix. Many insiders believed the Ducks had overtaken Ohio State. But Henry ultimately chose loyalty, consistency, and the program that had always felt like home.
“Ultimately, I’ve been committed to the Buckeyes for a long time,” Henry said on The Pat McAfee Show. “With Coach Hartline leaving, it really impacted my recruitment heavily. I had to take time to step back and reevaluate everything. But after sitting with my family and taking time to think about it, I’ll be staying committed to The Ohio State University. Even though Hartline did leave, Ohio State has always been in my heart.”
He also made clear that his decision wasn’t driven by NIL deals or financial incentives.
“For me, it was really about being at a place where I feel comfortable,” Henry said. “It was never really about the money. I was getting tons of offers at other places. But ultimately, this was the place where I feel comfortable being developed and reaching my goal of being a first-round draft pick.”
Henry’s signature is a massive win for the Buckeyes. As the lone five-star in Ohio State’s class of 27 signees, he becomes the headliner of the 2026 class and the fourth top-ranked wide receiver since 2020 to choose Ohio State, joining Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka, and Julian Fleming.
The No. 10 overall prospect in the class and the son of the late NFL receiver Chris Henry, Henry Jr. brings elite size, athleticism, and ball-tracking skills at 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds. His talent positions him to compete for immediate playing time in 2026, potentially stepping in opposite Smith with Carnell Tate likely bound for the NFL.
During his senior season at Mater Dei in California, Henry recorded 28 catches for 607 yards and six touchdowns in just eight games. After beginning his high school career in Cincinnati at West Clermont and Withrow University High School, he developed into one of the nation’s most complete prospects.
For Ohio State fans—and especially for the team at The OHIO Podcast—this day will be remembered simply for one thing: a five-star Buckeye staying home, and a celebration worthy of the moment.
