Report: 2026 No. 1 WR Chris Henry Jr. out with knee injury

According to a report from Rivals, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. The report broke during Mater Dei’s game against Santa Margarita Catholic (Calif.) this evening.

The 6-foot-5, 195-pound Henry is the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Henry — originally from Cincinnati and the son of the late former NFL wide receiver Chris Henry of the Cincinnati Bengals — committed to Ohio State in July 2023. He is currently the lone Buckeyes commit in the junior class.

Although pledged to Ohio State, Henry did visit Oregon during July’s lone recruiting weekend earlier this summer.

On3’s scouting and rankings team writes this about Henry as a prospect.

“Big receiver with a rare combination of size, athleticism and coordination as a young prospect. Measured in at over 6-foot-4.5 and around 185 pounds prior to his sophomore season. Tests as a strong athlete, posting an electronically-timed 4.65 second 40 yard dash at Under Armour’s Ohio Camp. Flashes outstanding functional movement skills at his size, with the ability to sink his hips and change direction with ease. Projects as a high level route runner as he continues to progress.

“Not overly long for his height, but flashes good ball skills and catch radius. Has strong pedigree as the son of the late NFL wide receiver Chris Henry. Projects as one of the top receivers early on in the 2026 cycle.”