Ohio State wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. has already shown promise just five practices into spring camp, giving an early glimpse of the talent that made the freshman one of the program’s most intriguing young additions.
But for Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day, the former five-star recruit out of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, learning from a veteran-filled receiver room could be just as valuable as the flashes he’s shown on the field.
Day said the presence of experienced playmakers, including returners, two-time Big Ten Receiver of the Year Jeremiah Smith, and captain Brandon Inniss, as well as transfers Devin McCuin and Kyle Parker, can provide Henry with a blueprint for both preparation and performance early in his college career.
“He gets to see Jeremiah every day and his approach, so that’s great,” Day said. “Then the other guys in the room, Devin and Kyle, bring in a certain level of maturity. Brandon is mature. So I think it’s great for him to see that.”
As a senior for the Monarchs in 2025, Henry caught 28 passes for 607 yards and six touchdowns in eight games, while finishing the recruiting cycle as the No. 14 overall prospect and the No. 2 wide receiver, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.
Day said the talent Henry displayed in high school has been evident early this spring, adding that the freshman must hold himself to high expectations and aim to start if he hopes to make an immediate impact at the college level, similar to Smith.
“He’s flashed, he’s really had some nice plays,” Day said. “To play as a freshman is a lot, and so he has to have the mentality that he wants to play from day one. Starting in the first game should be his goal. Now, whether he does or not, we’ll see, but he has all the traits and has all the skills. Everything we thought we saw in recruiting, we’ve seen on the field.”
In early spring practices, Henry has already showcased his all-around skill set, with his 6-foot-5, 195-pound frame standing out in 7-on-7 drills, while also working as a blocker and as a punt returner alongside Smith and Inniss.
Wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton echoed Day’s sentiment, noting both Henry’s natural ability and the fact that he must continue to refine his talents to achieve his full potential.
“Talented, but he’s young, like all of the young guys; they have a lot to learn, but he’s done a good job,” Hankton said. “We’re just trying to get him to truly play at a high level with urgency and playing fast, but he’s so efficient and smooth, and he has the length and ball skills. He’s an extremely talented young man, but he still has to improve every single day.”
Day added that Henry may have to earn his way up the ranks, first cutting his cloth on special teams like many great receivers before him.
“I would love to see him make an impact on special teams, like so many great players who have come before, early on to get him on the field. You think about Emeka Egbuka, you think about Marvin Harrison Jr., all those guys started to make their impact about midway through the season. We’ll see, there’s no timeframe for us (to play him).
He continued, stating that Smith served as a rare case to get on the field immediately as a freshman, while adding that if he continues promising habits, he could very well have that opportunity come fall.
“I think about Jeremiah. He was an Iron Buckeye (as a freshman), and that’s a big deal around here. The first freshman ever to be an Iron Buckeye and found his way on the field to be a starter in week one. So it’ll be the same challenge for Chris, but he knows what it’s supposed to look like because he’s got those guys in a room. He surrounds himself with (strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti), the strength staff and Cortez and (offensive coordinator Arthur Smith). He’s going to have a good career.”
Jeremiah Smith described Henry to have a quiet demeanor, while adding that he believes with a strong work ethic, the freshman could be next up among great Ohio State receivers.
“Chris…I thought I would never meet somebody who’s quieter than me. He’s so laid back and so chill. He’s got that Cali vibe to him,” Smith said. “But, Chris is another one that just came in, kept his head down and is just working. He’s the next one up.”
