Highly touted wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., a five-star prospect and one of the top recruits in the 2026 class, has been firmly committed to Ohio State since the summer of 2023. Regarded as the premier pass-catcher of his class by On3 Sports, Henry is poised to carry on the Buckeye’s strong tradition of elite wide receivers when he arrives in Columbus.
Despite his longstanding pledge, other programs have continued their pursuit, with recent speculation that Michigan was making a strong push to flip his commitment. Wolverines insider EJ Holland reported that Michigan was exploring the possibility of swaying Henry away from Ohio State, leveraging its substantial Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) resources to do so. The Wolverines have demonstrated their willingness to invest heavily in top-tier talent, as seen in their recruitment of quarterback Bryce Underwood. The No. 1 quarterback of the previous cycle, Underwood flipped from LSU to Michigan following a reported $12 million NIL deal.
Now, with their future signal-caller secured, the Wolverines are looking to build a formidable supporting cast and Henry would be a prized addition. The son of former NFL wide receiver Chris Henry Sr., he is expected to make an immediate impact wherever he plays at the collegiate level.
However, Henry swiftly shut down any notion of a potential flip. While he has explored other options including unofficial visits to USC, Oregon, and Penn State he made it clear that he remains committed to the Buckeyes. In response to Holland’s report, Henry posted an image on social media of Ohio State wide receivers coach Brian Hartline celebrating the team’s national championship victory. His message? He plans to contribute to more championship wins in Columbus.
That said, recruiting battles are never truly over until National Signing Day. Michigan relentless pursuit of Underwood ultimately led to his last-minute switch, despite his public statements leading up to the decision. While Henry has reaffirmed his commitment to Ohio State, the Wolverines are unlikely to give up on their efforts to change his mind.
