Shocking News: Stunned as Top WR Chris Henry Flips to Ohio State Football Over Tennessee Vols, Snubs Alabama, Gators, and Kentucky
In a stunning twist that has sent shockwaves across the college football world, elite wide receiver prospect Chris Henry Jr. has flipped his commitment to the Ohio State Buckeyes, turning down the Tennessee Volunteers and snubbing powerhouse programs like Alabama, Florida, and Kentucky.
Henry, a 5-star wide receiver and the son of the late NFL wideout Chris Henry, had long been linked to the Tennessee Volunteers. Recruited heavily by Tennessee and widely expected to land in Knoxville, Henry’s last-minute decision to switch to Ohio State has left fans and analysts reeling.
The high school phenom out of California (with deep ties to Cincinnati) had previously hinted at his admiration for Vols head coach Josh Heupel’s explosive offense, which made Tennessee the perceived frontrunner. Alabama and Florida were also strongly in the mix, with Kentucky viewed as a dark-horse contender in recent months. But in the end, it was Brian Hartline and the Buckeyes who pulled off the shocker.
Sources close to the recruitment say the Buckeyes’ track record of developing top-tier NFL receivers like Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Marvin Harrison Jr. played a decisive role in Henry’s choice. Hartline, Ohio State’s wide receivers coach, is widely considered the best in the country at grooming elite talent for the next level.
Henry made the announcement via social media on Thursday morning, posting a picture of himself in a Buckeye uniform with the caption: “Home. Let’s work.” Within minutes, the college football world erupted.
Recruiting analysts have called this one of the biggest flips of the 2025 recruiting cycle so far. “This is a massive win for Ohio State,” said 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong. “To go into SEC territory and pull a kid that many thought was Tennessee-bound is a huge statement.”
For the Volunteers, it’s a devastating blow. Henry was expected to be a cornerstone of their 2025 class and a game-changing offensive weapon. Alabama and Florida also lose out on a playmaker with NFL pedigree and size-speed explosiveness that is rare at the high school level.
Meanwhile, Ohio State adds yet another elite weapon to its already loaded offensive arsenal. With a strong quarterback pipeline and offensive pedigree, Henry’s future in Columbus looks incredibly bright.
As for Henry, the decision is made. The Buckeyes are getting a star — and the rest of the college football world just got a wake-up call.
Will Tennessee recover? Will Alabama retaliate in the next recruiting battle? One thing’s for sure: college football’s offseason drama just got a whole lot more interesting.