How 5-star receiver Chris Henry Jr. told Ohio State football coach Ryan Day he was signing with the Buckeyes

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Five-star receiver Chris Henry Jr. committed to Ohio State on Friday afternoon, ending a days-long saga that nearly ended up in him flipping to another program.

But the Buckeyes, aided by coach Ryan Day, were able to hang onto his commitment and landed the No. 1 receiver in the 2026 class.

When offensive coordinator Brian Hartline announced Wednesday he was leaving for the head coaching job at South Florida, things took a turn in Henry’s recruitment where he needed to take a step back. In the end, though, he stuck with the Buckeyes.

Henry’s phone call with Ryan Day was posted to social media by a family account.

“Just wanted to call you and thank you for everything,” Henry began on the call with Day. “Just let you know that I appreciate you. And let you know that I’m coming home.”

Henry, who announced his final decision Friday afternoon on The Pat McAfee Show, had been committed to Ohio State since July 2023.

Day responded to Henry:

“Yes sir! I know it’s been very stressful, I know there’s been a lot coming at you. Just know, at the end of the day, this is a place that we are going to take care of you. You have my word on that. Is it going to be easy? No, it’s not going to be easy. But we’ve got a great culture and you have the best situation in the country. You’re going to be on the other side of Jeremiah (Smith), you’ve got Julian (Sayin) throwing to ya. You got a winning culture and a bunch of people that care a lot about you. Wait till you hear Buckeye nation go wild once you announce this one.”

The same social media account posted a phone call he had with Hartline.

“You made the right choice!” Hartline exclaimed.