Ohio State’s wide receiver pipeline has become so reliable that the conversation never really stops at who’s starring now. It quickly turns to who’s next.
Right now, that spotlight belongs to Jeremiah Smith. The Buckeyes’ standout is 311 yards shy of passing Emeka Egbuka for the most receiving yards in Ohio State history, and he needs nine touchdowns to move past Chris Olave. He has reached those numbers in only two seasons, which tells you plenty about how fast he’s climbed.
But the bigger question hanging over Columbus is what happens if Smith heads to the NFL after this season, as many expect. Last year’s No. 2 receiver, Carnell Tate, was selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
No. 3 receiver Brandon Inniss is entering his senior season. That leaves Ohio State looking for the next name to step forward.
David Pollack thinks he already knows who it is.
On "See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack," the college football analyst pointed to true freshman Chris Henry Jr. as the next elite wide receiver not just at Ohio State, but in college football.
"Ohio State is Wide Receiver U," Pollack said. "...
Every year, they're finding it and Chris Henry might be the next guy at 6'5 that can run, that can make plays. I know there's a next guy.
I'm not guessing."
Henry arrived in Columbus with serious credentials. He was the No. 1 wide receiver in the 2026 recruiting class, and his blend of size, speed and athleticism gives him the kind of profile that can stress a defense in a hurry.
His commitment, though, wasn’t sealed without some late drama. Just before signing day, Brian Hartline left Ohio State to become the head coach at South Florida, and that change created real uncertainty in Henry’s recruitment. He reopened his thinking, took a look at other possibilities and even considered Oregon before ultimately staying with the Buckeyes.
For Ryan Day, that was a major win. For Ohio State, it may have been the latest reminder that the next great receiver is always somewhere in the building.
Smith is still the centerpiece. But Henry has the tools to become the next star in line, and if he develops the way Ohio State expects, the Buckeyes may not have to look far for their next elite wideout.
In Other News...
Former Five Star Buckeye Could Haunt Ohio State At Rival School
A former Ohio State receiver is making noise at Notre Dame, where Mylan Graham put together a strong spring and quickly worked his way into the mix for a major role. The move matters for Buckeye fans because it puts a once-highly touted talent on the other side of a future matchup, and it comes at a position where Notre Dame is still sorting out its best options.
Grahams rise has him positioned with Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse as part of the Irishs top receiver group heading into the season, a development that could make him a familiar name in Columbus for the wrong reasons. Ohio State has reason to feel good about its own receiver room, but the possibility of seeing a former five-star flourish elsewhere is the kind of subplot that lingers until the teams finally line up. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio States Wide Receiver U Crown Is Suddenly Being Challenged
Ross Douglas has wasted little time making his presence felt at Oregon since arriving as the Ducks wide receivers coach in February 2025. He has already helped build momentum on the recruiting trail, landing a collection of highly regarded pass catchers and transfers as Oregon keeps pushing to assemble a receiver room that can stack up with the nations best.
The bigger picture is why it matters to Ohio State fans: the Buckeyes have long worn the Wide Receiver U label, and that standard is now being tested by a program with serious ambition and a coach who knows how to sell it. Oregon still trails the Buckeyes in NFL receiver production, but with four wideouts already in the league and more talent coming in, the Ducks are making a real case that the gap is closing. [Read more 🡒]