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The decision buzzed in whereas Chris Henry Jr. traveled to his signing day ceremony. That is when Brian Hartline delivered the information he was taking the South Florida head teaching job.
“I used to be in shock,” Henry advised CBS Sports activities. “I have been dedicated so lengthy, and Hartline’s been recruiting me for the longest.”
What adopted was a three-day whirlwind.
Henry reaffirmed his dedication however did not signal on Dec. 3, the opening day of the early signing interval. Sharks pounced sensing Henry’s hesitation. Calls flooded in from throughout the nation as colleges scrambled to make the most of Ohio State’s weakened place with the No. 32 general participant and No. 3 broad receiver within the 2026 class, in accordance with 247Sports.
Texas and LSU made a push. Essentially the most severe threats, although, got here from the West Coast. Oregon and USC pursued the Los Angeles native aggressively, with the NIL figures supplied climbing by the day.
Two days later, Henry dialed Ryan Day — he’d signal with the Buckeyes.
“He instantly picked up,” Henry stated. “Coach Day sounded so relieved.”
He had purpose to be.
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In some ways, Henry represents the ultimate hyperlink to the Hartline period in Columbus, one which’s helped flip Ohio State into a large receiver manufacturing unit not like something faculty soccer’s seen within the Faculty Soccer Playoff period.
Because the Buckeyes named Hartline broad receivers coach in 2018, they’ve signed 16 prime 100 recruits on the place, eight five-stars and produced 5 first-round broad receivers. Two extra seem imminent: Carnell Tate in 2026 and Jeremiah Smith in 2027 are close to locks to be chosen on Day 1 of their respective draft cycles.
Even that resume would not totally do Hartline’s broad receiver improvement justice.
Ohio State would not simply produce draft picks. It manufactured superstars.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Chris Olave had been All-Professional picks this season. Garrett Wilson is a former NFL Offensive Rookie of the 12 months.
“It is like a machine,” Henry stated.
Now the operator has stepped away. What occurs subsequent is among the most fascinating questions in faculty soccer.
The short-term outlook stays vivid.
Smith enters the 2026 season as arguably the game’s greatest participant. Flanking him challenge to be a pair of elite skills. Brandon Inniss (271 yards, 3 TDs in 2025) is anticipated to emerge in an even bigger function and Henry initiatives to play early — similar to so lots of the five-star receivers earlier than him have in Columbus.
Peer beneath the floor and there are indicators of change.
For the primary time within the switch portal period, Ohio State dipped into the switch portal for a large receiver. And it did so twice. The Buckeyes added Devin McCuin from UTSA (726 yards, 8 TDs in 2025) and Kyle Parker from LSU, who had 330 yards and 4 scores as a sophomore.
It isn’t as if Ohio State’s recruiting is slipping at receiver. However it’s tougher than ever to carry onto depth.
This portal cycle noticed five-star true freshman Quincy Porter switch to Notre Dame, four-star true freshman Bodpegn Miller depart for Washington and sophomore contributor Mylan Graham additionally depart for Notre Dame.
That is the following wave of Buckeyes receivers selecting to not wait.
With Hartline gone, Ohio State out of the blue appears suspectable to the identical expertise drain that reshapes blue-blood rosters throughout the game.
There’s additionally some uncertainty on the recruiting path within the wake of Hartline’s departure.
The Buckeyes maintain a dedication from Jamier Brown, the No. 11 general recruit within the 2027 class. However he pledged to Hartline again in November of 2024.
After that it is going to be on new broad receivers coach Cortez Hankton to maintain the manufacturing unit buzzing.
Recruiting gamers like George Pickens at Georgia and growing skills like Malik Nabers at LSU suggests he is greater than as much as that activity. However there’s all the time one thing to show when following somebody like Hartline.
Henry, a digital camera following his each transfer ultimately month’s All-American Bowl, would not appear to suppose a lot will change.
He is excited to be a part of that broad receiver lineage. A drop-off at receiver is not acceptable in Columbus.
“It should maintain going,” Henry stated. “We put guys out yearly. Coach Hartline leaving is a serious half. However we will maintain it going — for certain.”
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