Ohio State (1) WR - Chris Henry Jr. (*****)

Elite 2026 wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. commits to Ohio Statehttps://t.co/Zy0Cxnfdid

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) July 28, 2023

 

COMMITTED. #AGTG #GoBucks #BUCKEYENATION pic.twitter.com/qvR4w01MJ3

— Chris Henry Jr (@ChrisHenryJr) July 29, 2023

 

Chris Henry Jr. was nearing the end of his initial interview with a small handful of reporters gathered outside of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center Friday when an observing family member chimed in.

The family member hinted that Henry Jr. had some news to share that had yet to be revealed following his visit to Columbus for Ohio State's SummerFest event, and that he couldn't tell it for him.

With a wry smile, Henry Jr. caved and let the cat out of the bag: The talented wideout had just committed to Ohio State, becoming the Buckeyes' first commitment of the 2026 class. Following his announcement, a small cry of cheers broke out from those that visited OSU with Henry Jr., including former Bengals cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones.

“It just felt like a great day,” Henry Jr. told reporters after revealing the news. “To be here, it just made it feel (right). Brought my uncle to see, because he was the one telling me to slow down. I was ready. When I talked to Coach Day, it was like no point in waiting anymore. … It’s just hard to turn down. It’s perfect for me and it fits me.

“The atmosphere. It’s the coaches, really. That’s really what it was, the coaches,“ Henry said of why he chose Ohio State over other top programs. “I love it here. I love the energy and the atmosphere. I love everything about it. They make me feel like a priority every time I talk to them. And so that just makes me feel special.”

Henry Jr. previously visited Ohio State for a camp in June and was one of the most impressive players to work out for the Buckeyes during the month. The Ohio prospect said he's eager to become a leader in the 2026 class and help recruit future prospects to Columbus going forward.

"It's an amazing feeling to have a school like this have me as their priority," Henry Jr. said.

 

Ohio State's first commitment for its 2026 recruiting class should be a familiar name to Ohio football fans. Chris Henry Jr., the son of the late Bengals receiver, said he will become a Buckeye. https://t.co/DsiRoFUJbE

— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) July 29, 2023

 

Chris Henry Jr. verbally commits to play football at Ohio State https://t.co/jejYD1hsP0

— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) July 29, 2023

 

I'm Home!! Go Buckeyes🌰
pic.twitter.com/6QgLmveVBr

— Chris Henry Jr (@ChrisHenryJr) July 29, 2023

 

Why Adam 'Pacman' Jones sees Ohio State commit Chris Henry Jr. as 'spitting image' of late father https://t.co/RbRLV0V2Cy

— BuckeyeXtra.com (@BuckeyeXtra) August 1, 2023

 

WR1 @ChrisHenryJr C/O ‘26 @OhioStateFB commit

Workin’ like we trynna get the first offer

Higher than #1 pic.twitter.com/ImTQ9CEDHq

— NXTTRAINING (@NXTTraining7) August 3, 2023

 

247Sports released their initial top 100 for 2026 today and #OhioState commit @ChrisHenryJr checked in at No. 8 https://t.co/33WfyXkpyp

— Alex Gleitman (@alexgleitman) August 16, 2023

 

#Buckeyes 5* WR commit Chris Henry Jr. getting warmed up before tonight's season opener. pic.twitter.com/8JbrFsWGI2

— Marc Givler (@MarcGivler) August 17, 2023

 

Chris Henry Jr. with his first TD reception this season. Rex Shaffer PAT. Withrow 42, Walnut Hills 0. End 3Q pic.twitter.com/xLLG2masDL

— Mike Dyer (@MikeDyer) August 18, 2023

 

On Wednesday, 247Sports unveiled its first rankings for the class of 2026, as 100 prospects from the cycle were ranked.

It’ll come as no surprise to those that have seen him play, but Ohio State wide receiver commit Chris Henry Jr. is ranked as a top-10 overall prospect nationally and the top wide receiver in the 2026 class. With Henry Jr. earning the No. 1 wide receiver ranking, the Buckeyes now have the top-ranked wideouts in both the 2024 (Jeremiah Smith) and 2026 classes.

 

CHRIS HENRY JR. LEADS WITHROW TO 42-0 SEASON-OPENING WIN
Though most of the Buckeyes’ in-state commitments open their seasons over the next few days, Ohio State 2026 wide receiver commit Chris Henry Jr. kicked off his 2023 campaign on Thursday evening. Considered the No. 1 wide receiver in the country in the 2026 cycle by 247Sports’ composite rankings, Henry Jr. was the focus of Walnut Hills’ defense and saw double-teams for a good portion of the evening.

It didn’t matter too much, as Henry Jr. still tallied more than 80 yards on offense and caught a touchdown en route to a 42-0 victory.

Henry Jr. and Withrow next face Springboro on the road on Aug. 25.

 

• 2026 Cincinnati (Ohio) Withrow wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. had 80 all-purpose yards and one touchdown in the Tigers’ 42-0 win over Walnut Hills on Thursday.

 

2026 Ohio State wide receiver commit Chris Henry Jr. makes early On3 Watch Listhttps://t.co/4MhAufzWF8

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) August 21, 2023

 

Thankful for the Man above for the many blessing!
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 pic.twitter.com/INqjmMsCAL

— Chris Henry Jr (@ChrisHenryJr) September 6, 2023

 

🚨2026 Top Ten REVEAL🚨

At No. 4 is Ohio State ( @OhioSt_Rivals ) commit CHRIS HENRY JR. (@ChrisHenryJr)

"Henry showed this summer at the Elite 11 that his upside is through the roof and he already has the physical tools to be a contributor at the highest level"

See… pic.twitter.com/KmL6MH7pk1

— Rivals (@Rivals) September 12, 2023