Ohio State star receiver Jeremiah Smith has identified freshman wideout Chris Henry Jr. as "the next one" in the Buckeyes' lineage of elite pass-catchers. Smith’s high praise comes as several first-year receivers, including Jerquaden Guilford and Brock Boyd, are making significant impacts early in spring practice.

Freshman Trio Flashing Early Potential

Head Coach Ryan Day acknowledged the immediate impact of the freshman group following the first day of drills. He noted that while they are still learning the system, they showed flashes of brilliance.

Day's Observations on the Newcomers

  • Chris Henry Jr. connected on a significant post route.
  • Jerquaden Guilford (Quay) executed a successful over route.
  • Brock Boyd also made several positive plays during the session.

Day concluded that all three freshmen possess bright futures within the program, albeit in distinct ways. This early performance suggests a strong pipeline of talent entering the Ohio State receiving corps.

Chris Henry Jr.: The Heir Apparent?

Jeremiah Smith, already established as a premier talent, sees parallels between himself and Henry, particularly in their reserved personalities. Smith joked that he thought he would never meet someone quieter than himself.

Smith described Henry as laid-back, chill, and possessing a distinct "Cali vibe." He emphasized that Henry has maintained a low profile, focusing solely on hard work, leading Smith to label him "the next one up."

Henry's Background and Competition

Ohio State secured Henry after successfully fending off numerous other suitors when former receivers coach Brian Hartline took the head coaching role at South Florida. Henry is the 6-foot-5 son of the late Cincinnati Bengals receiver, Chris Henry.

Henry set a school receiving record at Cincinnati’s Withrow High School as a sophomore in 2023, recording 1,127 yards and 10 touchdowns on 71 catches. He continued his dominance at Mater Dei High School in California, posting 28 receptions for 607 yards and six scores in just eight senior games.

Henry faces a competitive path to immediate starting status, unlike Smith's situation in 2024. Smith is slated to start at X receiver, and Brandon Inniss is set for the slot position. This leaves Henry battling for the starting Z role against UTSA transfer Devin McCuin and LSU transfer Kyle Parker.

Coaches' Assessments of Henry

New wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton praised Henry’s raw talent, noting his efficiency, smoothness, length, and ball skills. However, Hankton stressed the need for Henry to improve daily and play with greater urgency.

Quarterback Julian Sayin also expressed excitement about working with Henry, stating the freshman has been making great plays early on. This positive feedback reinforces the high expectations surrounding the newcomer.

Guilford and Boyd Earning Significant Praise

The strong performance of Henry has not overshadowed the contributions of Jerquaden Guilford and Brock Boyd this spring. Guilford entered the program with significant recruiting momentum, rising from the 507th prospect to the 44th nationally in the final 247Sports composite rankings.

Guilford lived up to his ranking during his senior year at Fort Wayne’s Northrop High School, compiling 54 receptions for 1,073 yards and 14 touchdowns. Smith believes both Guilford and Boyd will be "very special" players this year.

Smith added that Guilford and Boyd have also kept their heads down and worked hard, predicting that fans will see a lot of both players on the field this season.

Brock Boyd's Football IQ

Brock Boyd’s recruiting ranking (729th in the composite) seems to contrast sharply with the praise he is receiving internally. Boyd amassed 3,353 receiving yards over his final two seasons playing elite competition in Texas and clocked a 21.77-second 200-meter dash as a junior.

Coach Hankton highlighted Boyd’s strong football IQ as his key attribute. He noted that Boyd is instinctive and understands conceptual football exceptionally well for a young player.

Hankton attributed Boyd’s advanced understanding to his background; his father is a high school coach, meaning Boyd comes from a family deeply immersed in football. Hankton suggested Boyd understands the game as if he were a third-year college player.

Depth and Future Firepower

The continuous influx of talent ensures Ohio State maintains strong depth at the wide receiver position, securing firepower for future seasons. Coach Hankton is pleased with the overall quality of the group.

Hankton concluded by commending the freshmen class for buying into the team culture immediately and effectively showcasing their individual skill sets during practice.