Ohio State’s wide receiver room keeps getting more interesting, and now freshman Chris Henry Jr. has added a major endorsement to his early Buckeye story.
Henry Jr. has signed an NIL deal with Nike, giving the 5-star freshman another sign of how high the expectations are around him before he’s even played a regular-season snap. Nike is the biggest sponsor of the Ohio State program, and the company’s decision to back Henry Jr. only adds to the buzz around what he could become in Columbus.
That buzz is easy to understand. Ohio State lost a lot of talent last year, including four first-round picks, the most of any program.
One of those departures was Carnell Tate, who went fourth overall in the NFL Draft, and the Buckeyes are looking for someone who can help fill that production. Henry Jr. is one of the players the coaching staff is hoping can step into that kind of role.
There’s a path for him to make an immediate impact, too. He could end up as the second receiver on the outside opposite Jeremiah Smith, who is described as the best player in the country and the Buckeyes’ premier weapon. Henry Jr. is aiming to be the next great Ohio State receiver, and his size and strength were on display in the Spring Game, giving fans reason to think he can contribute right away.
Nike clearly sees something special as well. The company doesn’t hand out deals lightly, even NIL ones, and Henry Jr.’s agreement suggests they believe he has superstar potential. That’s exactly the kind of upside Ohio State is banking on if he’s going to be the heir apparent to Smith.
Henry Jr. now joins a small group of Buckeyes with Nike NIL deals. He becomes the third Ohio State athlete to sign with the brand, alongside Bo Jackson and Jermaine Mathews Jr.
As NIL continues to matter more in recruiting, Ohio State has to stay aggressive without overextending itself, and Ryan Day has handled that balance well. If Henry Jr. delivers on the promise that has followed him to campus, more NIL opportunities should come his way. A strong freshman season would only increase his value, though the source notes he doesn’t need the money, since his father made a lot of money in the NFL and Henry Jr. is expected to make plenty himself when he gets there.
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Ohio State Suddenly Has A New QB Pipeline Question
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Day is already working on the next wave, and Christopher Vargas has emerged as the name to know in the 2028 class. The five-star has visited Columbus multiple times and seems to have a strong feel for the program, which is why Ohio State is in a promising spot, even if nothing is locked in yet. For a staff that likes to stay ahead of the curve at quarterback, this is one of those recruitments that could shape the depth chart well beyond the current era. [Read more 🡒]