Ohio State’s next elite wide receiver commit is leaving the state: Buckeye Breakfast
COLUMBUS, Ohio –Brian Hartline, assistant football coach at Ohio State, has a track record of attracting top-tier wide receiver recruits from throughout the country. However, his most recent acquisition was unexpected.
In 2022, Hartline spotted Chris Henry Jr., an eighth grader from Cincinnati, at a day camp. He appeared physically prepared for high school football.
A year later, Henry returned to that camp, having spent his freshman season developing into one of the best players in the 2026 class. By the conclusion of the summer, he became the first member of the Buckeyes’ 2026 recruiting class.
Hartline’s latest acquisition is a top wide receiver who shares similarities with Marvin Harrison Jr and Jeremiah Smith.
Only this time, a player of that caliber would be developing right under Hartline’s nose, while living with former NFL player Pacman Jones.
But Henry is now heading west to complete his career at one of the country’s premier programs.
Henry will transfer to Mater Dei High School in California, where OSU has long admired the potential but has been unable to recruit it. But, with Henry now in the building for the next two years, and a few other players already bullish on Ohio State, maybe that may start to change.
Award winners
On Monday, the Columbus Chapter of the National Football Foundation (NFF) and the College Football Hall of Fame will give accolades to defensive line coach Larry Johnson and offensive lineman Avery Henry at the Ohio Union’s 63rd Scholar-Athlete accolades Banquet.
Johnson won the Ohio Gold Award, which is given yearly to a former player, coach, administrator, or other individual who has made a good impact on football in Central Ohio. Other former OSU players who have won the honor include Archie Griffin, Joey Galloway, Eddie George, Orlando Pace, Troy Smith, and most recently head coach Ryan Day, who got it last year.
Henry joined Columbus as the No. 720 player and No. 58 offensive tackle in the 2022 recruiting class. After a strong senior season at Saint Clairsville High School, he was initially committed to Iowa State. He shares traits with Dawand Jones, who was once regarded as a hidden treasure.
Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, in December 2022, effectively ending his football career. After a five-month battle, he went into remission and retired medically from football in July 2023.
Leave a Reply