Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

'He looks like he is sticking with Ohio State' - Recruiting expert kills rumors of elite Buckeye commit potentially flipping

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ryan Roberts | Last updated May 29, 2025 5:15 PM ET

When it comes to wide receiver play for Ohio State, they have a very strong claim as potentially the best program at developing the position over the last several years. Names like Marvin Harrison Jr., Garrett Wilson, Emeka Egbuka, and Chris Olave quickly come to mind as success stories.

That doesn’t even include rising sophomore Jeremiah Smith, who might be the best young wide receiver we have seen in college football in a very, very long time. Don’t forget about Carnell Tate or Brandon Inniss, a couple of former five-star player who will have a huge impact on the Buckeyes in 2025.

With the job wide receivers coach Brian Hartline has done in Columbus, it isn’t overly surprising to see how well they have been able to recruit. That includes the 2026 recruiting class, where they landed a commitment from Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei five-star Chris Henry Jr. He committed to the staff back in July of 2023.

There has been some conversation around Henry this offseason, and the flip attempts by various programs. That is most notably the Oregon Ducks, who is going to be hosting him for a visit on June 13-15. Despite those attempts, On3 vice president of recruiting Steve Wiltfong is still pretty confident that Henry is going to end up signing with the Buckeyes.

On the On3 Recruits YouTube channel, Wiltfong played in a little game called “Stick or Flip”, and he went in depth on the Henry situation.

“Stick,” Wiltfong said. “There was some Oregon smoke coming on there, but Ohio State has been in those waters before. Most of the times they dock the ship, certainly massive ships like Jeremiah Smith. Every once in a while they lose one like a Jeremiah McClellan but they have docked Chris Henry.

It looks like he is sticking with Ohio State and that has to do with the comfort with the staff, the Programs the Buckeyes have, the offense they have, and just how ready-made their playmakers on the perimeter are for the NFL, to not only compete but to be one of the best in the NFL when they get there.”

If Henry does stick, that should be the next superstar in the pipeline. At 6-5 and 205 pounds, he is a physically gifted pass catcher with all the upside in the world. Henry is currently considered to be a five-star, the No. 13 overall player, No. 3 wide receiver, and No. 2 player in the state of California in the 2026 recruiting class according to the 247Sports Composite ranking.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: