It’s no secret that Deion Sanders doesn’t back down from a challenge. His latest target? Five-star wide receiver and current Ohio State commit Chris Henry Jr.
Henry, the No. 1 wide receiver in the 2026 class per 247Sports Composite rankings, announced on Saturday that he had received an offer from Colorado. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, the Mater Dei (Calif.) product is the type of generational talent that any program would love to have.
And while he’s been verbally committed to the Buckeyes since July, his recruitment is far from over.
For longtime football fans, the name Chris Henry carries weight. His father, the late Chris Henry Sr., was a dynamic wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals before his tragic passing in 2009. A true deep threat, Henry Sr. was one of the most explosive playmakers in the NFL, capable of turning any route into a touchdown.
Henry Sr.’s talent was undeniable, and his son is following in his footsteps with an even greater ceiling. Henry Jr. has the size, speed, and fluidity that make scouts drool. His ability to high-point the football is reminiscent of his father, but he’s even more polished as a route runner at this stage.
Landing Henry Jr. won’t be easy. Ohio State has built a wide receiver pipeline with Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Marvin Harrison Jr. Oregon and USC are also heavily involved, and both have hosted him on recent visits. Still, Colorado isn’t just offering for the sake of making noise — Deion Sanders and his staff believe they have a real pitch.
While Ohio State remains the favorite, the fact that Henry Jr. is still exploring options, means his recruitment is far from over. Coach Prime and Colorado have a history of flipping high-profile commitments (hello, Cormani McClain), and they won’t stop swinging for the fences.
If Henry Jr. is looking for a place where he can be a featured weapon, while learning from one of the greatest defensive backs of all time, he might just give the Buffaloes a serious look.