Introduction
Chris Henry Jr. is one of the most heralded high-school wide receiver prospects in the United States. A five-star recruit and the top wide-receiver in the 2026 class, Henry Jr. has generated major attention thanks to his elite size, athleticism, and pedigree.
In this article, we explore his high school journey, statistics, commitment history, and whether he has officially signed to a college program.
High School & Early Career
-
Freshman Year — Henry Jr. began his high school career at West Clermont High School in Batavia, Ohio. In that season, he recorded 29 catches for 292 yards and 5 touchdowns on offense. On defense, playing free safety, he logged 16 tackles, 3 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown).
-
Sophomore Year — He transferred to Withrow High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. That season, he posted 71 receptions for 1,127 yards and 10 touchdowns, setting a school record. He was named a MaxPreps Sophomore All-America.
-
Junior / Senior Years — In February 2024, Henry Jr. transferred to Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, California), a powerhouse program with a long tradition of elite high school football.
His move to Mater Dei places him among a legacy of top high school talents — and sets the stage for national visibility leading into college recruitment.
College Recruitment & Offers
Even before his freshman year, Henry Jr. had already begun attracting attention from top college football programs. Offers reportedly came from schools such as Ohio State Buckeyes, Grambling State University, West Virginia Mountaineers, Marshall University, and University of Connecticut.
On July 29, 2023, Henry Jr. verbally committed to Ohio State during the SummerFest event, making him the first commit in the Buckeyes’ 2026 recruiting class.
At that time, he cited a “feel-at-home” connection with Ohio State, even though other powerhouse programs — such as Clemson University, University of Georgia, and USC Trojans — were also recruiting him heavily.
Did He Sign? When Did He Sign (or Plan to Sign)?
Although Henry Jr. committed to Ohio State in July 2023, as of early December 2025 he had not officially signed.
He stated publicly that — due to recent coaching changes at Ohio State — he was continuing to “weigh his options” and wanted to make the right decision for his future.
However, on December 3, 2025, multiple sources reported that Henry Jr. officially signed with Ohio State during the early-signing period, making his commitment official, despite late recruitment efforts by other major programs such as Oregon Ducks and USC.
Thus: as of December 3, 2025 — yes, Chris Henry Jr. did sign, and his signature is officially with Ohio State.
Stats & Player Profile
| Season / School / Notes | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs | Other Notables |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshman — West Clermont HS | 29 | 292 | 5 | Also: 16 tackles, 3 INTs, 2 fumble recoveries (one returned for TD) |
| Sophomore — Withrow HS | 71 | 1,127 | 10 | Set school record for receiving yards & TDs |
| Junior+ — Mater Dei HS | — | — | — | Transferred Feb 2024; performance limited by knee injury junior year |
Player Profile
-
Height / Build: Listed around 6′5″, 205 lbs — ideal size for a top-tier wide receiver.
-
Skillset & Potential: Experts praise his size, catch radius, athleticism, and ball skills — traits that project him as a “game-breaking” receiver even as a freshman at college.
-
Recruiting Ranking: Widely considered the No. 1 wide receiver and among the top 10 overall prospects in the 2026 class nationally.
Significance & What’s Next
The official signing of Chris Henry Jr. with Ohio State confirms what many analysts saw coming: an elite talent locking in with a premier college football program.
His combination of size, skills, and pedigree (son of former NFL receiver Chris Henry) makes him a high-upside prospect — with expectations that he could contribute early and potentially emerge as a star receiver at the collegiate level.
Fans and scouts will be watching how he develops at Mater Dei leading up to college, both physically and in terms of production, especially coming off a knee injury in his junior year.
Conclusion
Chris Henry Jr.’s journey from freshman at West Clermont High School to five-star recruit and top-wide receiver in the 2026 class has been fast — and impressive. With a final high school stop at Mater Dei and a signed National Letter of Intent with Ohio State (as of December 3, 2025), he is now officially part of one of college football’s elite programs.
As he transitions to the next level, all eyes will be on how his high-school success, physical tools, and legacy translate into the college game — and whether he can live up to the high expectations that come with being one of the top prospects in his class.
