By Cole SullivanShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberWhile the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes are locked in on their matchup Saturday night against the No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers in the Big Ten Championship, it’s hard to ignore the looming impact of National Signing Day—especially in Columbus.
On Wednesday, it was announced that Buckeyes offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline is leaving to become the head coach at South Florida. That move now appears to be playing a significant role in the decision-making process for one of the nation’s top recruits, five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr.
Henry Jr. has been verbally committed to the Buckeyes since 2023, but just hours before many expected him to sign his letter of intent—he posted that he was still weighing his decision following Hartline’s departure, who was obviously a major figure in his recruitment.
Henry, who is deciding between Ohio State, Oregon, and USC, wrote: “I have not signed yet. Still trying to weigh my options due to coaching changes. I just want to make the right decision for my future. God’s plan.”
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However, not long after that post, Ohio State star Jeremiah Smith — widely considered the best wide receiver in the country as a sophomore — sent out a three-word plea aimed at keeping Henry Jr.
“WE NEED YOU!!!!” Smith wrote on X, reposting Henry’s statement.
...It’s not surprising to see recruits second-guess their commitments after Hartline’s departure. He was the driving force behind the Buckeyes’ consistent success at the wide receiver position over the past several years.
Since joining the coaching staff in 2018, Hartline has worked with and recruited players such as Terry McLaurin, Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Emeka Egbuka, Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jameson Williams, Carnell Tate, and now Jeremiah Smith — all of whom are in the NFL or headed there soon.
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