For much of his recruitment, Chris Henry Jr. looked like the next can’t-miss wide receiver destined to continue Ohio State’s reign as the premier wideout factory in college football. But as his signing day approached, even a commitment as solid as Henry’s was tested.
Chris Henry Jr. Admits He Nearly Flipped After Brian Hartline News
The five-star receiver, one of the most talented pass catchers to come out of high school in recent memory, recently opened up about his recruiting process, including serious interest from Texas and LSU, and what ultimately led him to stay home and officially sign with the Buckeyes.
Henry admitted in a recent sneak preview video on Twitter of a new series he is doing called “Committed: Chris Henry Jr.” that he was closer to flipping elsewhere than many realized. With offers pouring in and comparisons to elite receivers before him, the temptation was understandable. The moment that truly shook his commitment, however, came when Brian Hartline delivered unexpected news.
Hartline, Ohio State’s legendary wide receivers coach and the architect behind “WRU,” called Henry to inform him that he was taking the head coaching job at South Florida.
Given the relationship the two had built throughout the recruiting process, the news stung.
Hartline’s influence on Henry’s decision can’t be overstated. Over the past several years, he has transformed Ohio State into the gold standard for receiver development, producing stars such as Marvin Harrison Jr., Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, all of whom have become first-round NFL Draft picks and high-end professional talents. Henry had watched that development closely, envisioning himself as the next name in that lineage.
Even when Hartline was promoted from wide receivers coach to offensive coordinator, his impact on the position never faded. This past season, his receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate both graded inside the top 10 of Pro Football Sports Network’s wide receiver impact grades, with Smith earning an 85.1 and Tate an 84.5. That kind of production and consistency is rare, and it reinforced just how special Ohio State’s receiver room has become.
Still, Hartline’s departure forced Henry to reconsider everything. Texas and LSU made strong pushes, selling him on immediate opportunity and their own offensive pedigrees. For a player of Henry’s caliber, ranked among the nation’s elite and viewed as a future NFL star, the interest was justified.
Why Ohio State and Ryan Day Won in the End
What ultimately brought him back to Ohio State was a conversation with head coach Ryan Day. Henry said talking with Day helped him feel confident about the direction of the program and the offense as a whole. By the end of those discussions, he knew staying committed was the right choice. And it’s easy to see why.
Regardless of who calls plays, Ryan Day has established himself as one of the best offensive minds in college football. Ohio State’s offenses have consistently graded among the nation’s elite, ranking inside the top four of PFSN’s offensive impact team grades every season since 2019, with the lone exception coming in 2023 when they finished 17th. Simply put, Ohio State knows offense, and that has never been a question.
Henry is also stepping into a situation with a real opportunity. Carnell Tate, one of the Buckeyes’ most productive receivers, is headed to the NFL and currently ranks inside the top 10 overall prospects and the top-rated wide receiver on PFSN’s 2026 NFL Draft consensus big board. Replacing that level of production won’t be easy, but Henry is uniquely equipped to do just that.
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He won’t be doing it alone, either. Jeremiah Smith, one of the top young receivers in the country, will be right alongside him, a running mate who can help push Henry’s development from day one. And having a quarterback like Julian Sayin, the 2025 Heisman finalist, delivering the football certainly doesn’t hurt.
In the end, Henry’s recruitment wasn’t about a single coach or a single moment. It was about trust in the system, the development, and the long-term vision of Ohio State football. While Hartline’s departure briefly opened the door for others, Day and the Buckeyes closed it with stability and proven results.
For Chris Henry Jr., staying home wasn’t just about loyalty. It was about believing that Ohio State remains the best place to turn elite talent into greatness, and his story looks like the next chapter in WRU history.
