We all know that in the ruthless arena of recruiting, no pledge is ever set in stone. Plus, the verbal commitments fade faster than chalk on a rainy sidewalk. And with NIL playing his cards right in the recruitment war and coaching shake-ups, loyalty only lasts as long as there isn’t a bigger offer to hit the table. No one knows it better than Ryan Day. Now he has to feel a fresh wave of urgency as his five-star receiver, Chris Henry Jr. finds himself squarely in the middle of a brewing battle. Looks like things are taking a weird turn for Coach Day.

Well, the recruiting trail is always active, with Ohio State’s top commit, five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., attracting attention from rival schools. Despite his commitment to the Buckeyes, Henry has scheduled four official visits this summer: Miami on May 30, USC on June 6, Oregon on June 13, and Ohio State on June 20. While this could be standard procedure, it also indicates Henry’s interest in exploring other possibilities.

Now, this situation puts Ohio State’s head coach, Ryan Day, in the spotlight. Henry committed to OSU in July 2023, but Oregon and USC are making efforts to sway him, utilizing NIL and high-powered offenses. Coach Day and his team must emphasize Columbus’s appeal as a top choice, as commitments in today’s recruiting environment do not always guarantee a final decision.

Who wouldn’t want a player like Chris Henry Jr.? The kid is a phenomenal athlete, excelling in basketball, track, and football. He showcased his skills at West Clermont High School in Ohio, playing both wide receiver and defensive back. In his freshman year, he impressed with 29 catches for 292 yards and five touchdowns, along with three interceptions and two forced fumbles on defense. These performances earned him MaxPreps Freshman All-American honors. After a stint at Withrow High School in Ohio, he now plays for Mater Dei.

However, despite the attention surrounding his college visits, Henry Jr. remains connected to Ohio State. The Buckeyes reinforced their commitment by appointing Brian Hartline as offensive coordinator, a decision fully supported by Henry Jr as he says, “I love this move. Coach Hartline knows how to develop receivers better than anyone, and now with him as OC I know he’s going to put us receivers in the best position to dominate for sure.” But even then there are chances that Oregon might stand out against the Bucks.

Oregon’s push for Chris Henry Jr. can be a buzz kill for Ryan Day

Well, Oregon senses opportunity and Dan Lanning isn’t just messing around; he’s going for the catch. See Ryan Day and the Bucks have Chris Henry Jr.’s commitment for now — but the Ducks have their foot in the door. Plus, Chris is visiting Eugene this Friday, and knowing Oregon’s history, things might take a different turn pretty soon, as they have already flipped elite talent before. Remember Na’eem Offord? Or Trey McNutt, who went straightaway to Dan Lanning, leaving Ryan Day in scrutiny.

Moreover, one of Ryan Day’s biggest selling points just packed his bags. Look Chris Henry Jr. made it clear since the moment he committed to the Bucks how much he respects Chip Kelly, saying, “I like Coach Chip Kelly he’s a great coach he’s been to the league. He knows what he’s doing.” But Coach Kelly’s NFL move for the Raiders has now left a gap in Ryan Day’s pitch. Now, they might probably give the Ducks a little breathing room. And that’s only possible if Ryan Day has something better to offer.

And right now, that’s not the case. Even though the Bucks won, Oregon is fresh off an undefeated regular season. Plus, it’s the only FBS team to pull it off in 2024. While Ohio State fans openly questioned Ryan Day’s coaching abilities following their Big Ten title game loss and defeats against Oregon and an unranked Michigan, Dan Lanning appears to be building a better program.

Even Chris Henry Jr. sees what’s brewing in Eugene, as he appears to have a keen interest in their program, as he says, “Obviously they had a great season last year. I think it’s definitely their coaching staff. The way they run things up there is really good. I can see why they’re doing so good.” Now the silver line is if Ryan Day wants to keep him, they better make sure that the Ducks don’t seem like a more promising bet.