The Early Signing Period is here, and all eyes in Columbus are locked on one name: Chris Henry Jr. The five-star wide receiver has been committed to Ohio State since late July 2023, but that hasn’t stopped other powerhouse programs from making a late push to shake things up.
Oregon and USC are the two biggest threats circling right now, and neither Dan Lanning nor Lincoln Riley is backing down. Both coaches have been ramping up their efforts in recent weeks, hoping to pull off a last-minute flip that would send shockwaves through the recruiting world.
Still, Ryan Day and the Buckeyes have every reason to feel confident-at least on paper. Henry’s been solid for over a year now, and with Brian Hartline still in Columbus, the Buckeyes have their ace recruiter and wide receiver guru right where they want him.
But if you’ve been on social media lately, you know things aren’t quite as calm as they seem.
Henry recently posted a photo to Instagram that’s stirred up some serious conversation. The image?
A classic “hat dance” shot, showing hats from Ohio State, Oregon, and USC laid out ahead of National Signing Day. But here’s where it gets interesting: the Oregon and USC hats are upside down.
Ohio State’s hat? Front and center, logo upright.
Now, fans are dissecting the photo like it’s the Zapruder film. Is this Henry’s subtle way of reaffirming his commitment to the Buckeyes?
A quiet nod to the school he’s always planned to sign with? Or is it just a bit of pre-signing day drama, a reminder that nothing is official until the ink is dry?
Regardless, the post has added a layer of suspense to what was once considered a lock. Buckeye Nation, understandably, is feeling a little anxious. And that’s fair-when a talent like Henry is involved, every detail feels magnified.
Let’s not forget how close things came to getting even more complicated. Just days ago, there was real concern that Brian Hartline could be on his way out, with Kentucky reportedly eyeing him for their head coaching vacancy.
That would’ve been a seismic shift for Ohio State’s recruiting momentum. Hartline is more than just a coordinator-he’s one of the most respected developers of wide receiver talent in the country, and a major reason why top-tier pass catchers like Henry choose Columbus.
Fortunately for the Buckeyes, that scenario never materialized. Kentucky went with Will Stein, and Hartline remains in place, continuing to build one of the most explosive wide receiver rooms in college football.
But the question now is whether that stability will be enough to keep Henry in the fold.
There’s still a strong belief inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center that Henry will stay true to his word and sign with Ohio State. He’s built relationships with the staff, he knows the offensive system, and he’d be walking into a program that just hoisted another national championship trophy. That’s a hard pitch to beat.
Still, in the world of recruiting, nothing is final until the fax comes through. And until then, fans will be refreshing their feeds, watching every move, every post, and every hat placement with a little more intensity than usual.
The countdown is on. And for Ohio State, the hope is that Chris Henry Jr. will make it official and keep the Buckeyes’ wide receiver pipeline as strong as ever.