Chris Henry Jr. is ready to make a name for himself in Ohio. While his later father starred for the Cincinnati Bengals, Henry will play for Ryan Day's team. With Carnell Tate off to the NFL, there are catches to be had from Julian Sayin. Of course, Henry gets to work and grow alongside the best in the college game today in junior Jeremiah Smith. Together, they can win a national title this season.
Here is an early look of Henry and Smith putting in the work as stars of Ohio State's receiving corps.
The Jeremiah Smith and Chris Henry era has arrived.
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) March 10, 2026
Time flies - Jeremiah Smith is now the veteran getting set for his junior season, helping a freshman with sky high expectations: pic.twitter.com/THSRloTZfT
This is a big spring for Ryan Day. Ohio State won its first 12 games as defending national champions last season before stumbling down the stretch vs. Indiana in the Big Ten Championship and then being eliminated from the College Football Playoff at the hands of the Miami Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl. Right now, this year's Buckeyes team is on a shortlist of teams who could win it all next season.
Should Henry blossom during his freshman season like Smith did in 2024, Ohio State will be on fire!
Chris Henry Jr. should pair nicely with Jeremiah Smith in receiving corps
One of the things that has made Ohio State so tough to defend in the passing game is how well the Buckeyes recruit and develop their wide receivers. Even though former position coach and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline is now calling the shots at South Florida, Day still remains. This is his side of the football. Plus, bringing in Arthur Smith adds a level of physicality to the receiving game as well.
In short, Henry is going to be asked to do a lot of different things within the context of Smith's new offense. It may be more ground-centric than an incoming star receiver recruit may prefer, but we all know Ohio State is at its best when it can dictate terms offensively in the trenches. Look at the Chip Kelly-led offense that was centered around TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins in 2024-25...
At this time, Henry needs to act like a sponge and learn the ropes from his veteran teammates. Smith is arguably the most talented wide receiver we have seen in the college game since at least Ja'Marr Chase. He knew how to not only get on the field early, but make a huge impact right away. In the end, he became a favorite target of Will Howard down the stretch in 2024 and all of last season for Sayin.
Look for Day, Smith, and the rest of the Ohio State offense to find creative ways to utilize Henry here.