Chris Henry Jr. continues to stay consistent, Michigan may not be able to offer enough for top 2026 QB

Opponents continue their pursuit, but Henry Jr. is locked in with Ohio State.

The Buckeyes are back in action Saturday against Northwestern in what should be another rather stress-free contest. If anything, the venue of Wrigley Field has provided more stress thus far in comparison to the actual opponent, as most of the attention surrounding this game has been solely about the oddness the field’s dimensions are going to provide both teams.

Heading to Chicago for a walk through, Ohio State typically doesn’t have to do this sort of game prep, but Day and the rest of the staff felt it was needing considering where they are playing and how much different the layout of the actual playing surface is. Whether it be cement walls just behind the end zone and other areas that could cause for harm, the feelings toward this venue and game haven’t been real positive with the media and potentially even the team itself.

Weird venue or not, the Buckeyes have a job to do if they want to continue their pursuit of a conference title bid, and Northwestern is the next hurdle on their way. With a chance to impress the recruiting area of Chicago, Ohio State will look to do that and more as the city has plenty of recruits this staff is familiar with.

Continuing to be an annoyance

Ohio State’s lone commit in the 2026 cycle thus far happens to be the nation’s No. 1 pass catcher. The No. 3 ranked player and top receiver in the country per the 247Sports Composite, Chris Henry Jr. is the next elite receiver in line for the Buckeyes thanks to Brian Hartline’s track record and recruiting success.

An Ohio native that chose the Buckeyes well over a year ago, Henry Jr.’s recruitment has stayed consistent with Ohio State even with his move to California. Suiting up this past season for the prolific prep power Mater Dei, Henry Jr. continued his dominance on the field, and though he’s had to deal with injury, his status as the top player at his position hasn’t changed one bit, and if anything has only been further cemented.

The positive aspect here for the Buckeyes has been knowing that thanks to Henry Jr. they can reach other Mater Dei players they are high on, and having a vocal presence to further promote Ohio State’s brand certainly doesn’t hurt either. The drawback is of course having the West Coast programs now feeling like they can swoop in and increase their chances at flipping his commitment simply because they are now geographically closer.

The program that comes to mind more than any others naturally is Oregon. A complete and total thorn in the side of Ohio State, the Ducks continue to be an annoyance to say the least. The one example of true adversity coming by way of their lone loss this year, the Buckeyes are having to fight off Oregon not only on the field now, but also in recruiting, and will look to right their wrongs if they can win out and see a re-match in Indianapolis.

Henry Jr. has done nothing to make anyone with Ohio State loyalties feel like they are losing their grip on their prized recruit, but the attention Oregon is giving him isn’t anything to scoff at either. A theme in the recent years continues to remain true, and that’s believing that as long as Hartline is in Columbus, so too will be his top recruits and commits.

The 2026 class has a long time before those athletes are signing, and Ohio State is going to have to weather the storm of every program coveting their players. That’s how it goes when you have elite commits wrapped up. While it’s an annoyance, it’s nothing this staff isn’t already used to. Oregon will continue their pursuit, but as long as Henry Jr. continues to say and do the right things, you have to trust and hope that his recruitment, much like the ones before him including Jeremiah Smith’s, will go in a similar fashion.

Speaking of doing the right things, it takes just one glance at Henry Jr.’s social media accounts to see his pro-Ohio State messages, and that includes yesterday’s promotion of St. John Bosco athlete Madden Williams who also shared an Ohio State message. The No. 242 player nationally and 41st best receiver per the 247Sports Composite, seeing Henry Jr. go out of his way to continue preaching and posting the Buckeyes has to ease any worries. They may persist, but Henry Jr. continues to be consistent.

Quick Hits

• It’s been a busy week for National recruiting news. Constant flips and de-commitment posts going out, On3 designer Hayes Fawcett has been seeing an increased work load the last several days. Thursday being no different, maybe the biggest or most interesting update surrounding current LSU QB commit Bryce Underwood and his potential NIL offer from Michigan.

The Michigan native took to his Instagram account to share a post that stated he’d be “likely to decline” his major offer, and that of course would be wonderful news for Ohio State who would have to face him for at least three seasons.

The No. 1 quarterback in the class and top player nationally, Underwood is just minutes from Michigan’s campus at nearby Belleville. Gaining serious attention as of late as a possible flip to the Wolverines, the motive has mainly been the NIL potential, but if he really is likely to decline the offer and stick with his LSU pledge, this would be a major setback to a program who has clearly struggled at the most important position just one season after their best year to date.

Keep a close watch on this one. It has an impact on the Buckeyes either way.