Chris Henry Jr. Drops Major Hint About College Future—Could Ohio State Lose Its Star Recruit?
The world of college football recruiting is a battlefield, where no commitment is ever truly set in stone. And if recent events are anything to go by, the war for Chris Henry Jr., the five-star wide receiver from the class of 2026, is far from over.
For months, the Ohio State Buckeyes seemed to have locked in their next great pass-catching phenom. Henry Jr., the son of former NFL receiver Chris Henry, had pledged his allegiance to OSU in July 2023, setting Columbus ablaze with excitement. But as any seasoned recruiting expert will tell you—nothing is official until the ink dries on National Signing Day.
Now, the plot thickens. Because while Buckeye Nation has been celebrating his commitment, a lurking giant in the Pacific Northwest has been quietly making its move.
Oregon Ducks Make a Thunderous Entrance
Enter Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks, one of the most aggressive recruiting forces in college football today. While most schools might have backed off after Henry Jr. verbally committed to Ohio State, Lanning and his staff saw an opportunity—and they pounced.
The young star took his first trip to Eugene during Junior Day, and from that moment, something changed.
“My interest in Oregon is definitely up there,” Henry Jr. admitted to 247 Sports earlier this week. “I would put them right behind Ohio State.”
Hold on—right behind Ohio State? That’s not the kind of statement Buckeye fans want to hear from a player they thought was fully locked in.
And then came the bombshell: Chris Henry Jr. was spotted wearing an Oregon Ducks tracksuit.
In the world of college football recruiting, where body language, social media likes, and wardrobe choices are scrutinized like sacred texts, this was no small matter. Was this a mere fashion choice, or was the No. 6 recruit in the nation dropping a massive clue about his future?
Henry Jr. and the Ducks: A Perfect Match?
If Henry Jr. does decide to flip, it wouldn’t be a blind leap—it would be a calculated move.
Oregon has quietly built a pipeline of NFL-ready wide receivers, and their offensive system is tailor-made for explosive playmakers like Henry Jr. Plus, Lanning’s relentless pursuit shows just how badly they want him.
“When I was up there, I got to talk to Coach Lanning, Coach Adams, and Coach Stein,” Henry Jr. said. “Their message to me was that I’m a priority for them and that they’re not going to give up.”
This is the kind of dogged persistence that flips top recruits. Oregon isn’t just knocking on the door—they’re practically kicking it down.
Michigan’s Late Push Falls Short
Meanwhile, the Michigan Wolverines have been trying to make a play for Henry Jr. as well. With their sights set on five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, Michigan had hoped to lure Henry Jr. with the promise of catching passes from one of the best young arms in the nation.
But if there was ever a chance of that happening, Henry Jr. made his stance crystal clear—Michigan is not a factor.
When a Michigan insider recently suggested that the Wolverines should steal Henry Jr. from Ohio State, the young receiver fired back with a strong rebuttal. He quote-tweeted the post with an image of OSU wide receivers coach Brian Hartline—a not-so-subtle way of saying, “I’m still a Buckeye.”
The Million-Dollar Question: Is Henry Jr. Really Staying at OSU?
Despite his public reaffirmation of loyalty to Ohio State, the reality is that recruiting battles are never over until they’re over.
Right now, Henry Jr. claims he’s sticking with OSU unless Hartline leaves—but college football is an unpredictable world. Coaching changes, NIL deals, and late-game recruiting pitches can flip a recruit overnight.
So, was the Oregon tracksuit just an innocent fashion statement? Or was it a warning shot to Ohio State that this commitment isn’t as ironclad as they’d like to believe?
One thing is certain—this recruitment saga is far from finished. And for Buckeye fans, every move Henry Jr. makes will now be watched like a hawk.
