The standard for wide receiver play at Ohio State has been among the best in college football for years, and early signs from spring practice suggest the Buckeyes may have another elite pass-catcher ready to emerge.
While superstar wideout Jeremiah Smith already headlines the unit, the Buckeyes’ newest recruiting class has arrived on campus, and freshman receiver Chris Henry Jr. is already turning heads.
Chris Henry Jr. Is Next Up For The Buckeyes
If there were any concerns that Ohio State might need a new No. 2 option opposite Smith after losing a top-10 prospect and WR1 on the PFSN consensus big board for the NFL Draft, those worries may not last long.
Smith himself offered early praise for Henry during an interview posted on the I Am Athlete Twitter page.
“It’s gonna be pretty special,” Smith said when discussing the potential of the young receiver and their pairing together.
Jeremiah Smith talks about helping bring Chris Henry Jr. to Columbus 👀
Ohio State’s WR room isn’t slowing down anytime soon 🌰 pic.twitter.com/2QUkcojoIn
— I AM ATHLETE (@IAMATHLETEpod) March 10, 2026
Henry’s presence in Columbus nearly didn’t happen. When longtime Buckeyes wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline departed to become the head coach at South Florida, there was some concern the prized recruit might reconsider his commitment.
Smith admitted he even took on a recruiting role himself to help keep Henry in the fold.
The effort paid off, and now the Buckeyes may once again have one of the most dangerous receiving duos in college football.
Ohio State’s offense was already among the nation’s best last season, finishing with a top-three PFSN CFB Offensive Impact grade (A-). With Smith returning and Henry now entering the mix, the passing game could reach another level.
That could be especially important for sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin. After ending last season as a Heisman contender, making it to New York, Sayin will be looking to take the next step and potentially bring home the trophy this time around.
If Henry continues developing the way early spring practices suggest, the Smith-Henry tandem could quickly join the list of elite receiver pairings Ohio State has produced in recent memory.
And if Smith’s early assessment is any indication, Buckeye fans may be in for something special.
