From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about the things we think, but aren’t 100% confident on. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all our “What We Think We Know” articles here.
Wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. has a ton of upside, arriving at Ohio State as a highly prized recruit. While I expect him to impact the offense as a freshman and have a great career in Columbus,
I wanted to kick off our “What We Think We Know” theme week by looking at Henry’s obvious attributes that should set him apart early in his career: his size and catch radius.
Henry is a physical freak at 6-foot-5 who will tower over nearly anyone who tries to cover him. His long arms give him an even greater advantage. I think this is going to be his early role in the offense.
Under normal circumstances in recent years I would perhaps think Henry is poised to start early. However, under Arthur Smith’s system for the offense, I think we’ll see more two-receiver sets with an extra tight end on the field, a tendency to set up the pass with the run, and a commitment to having success on the ground.
That sounds to me like we may see Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Inniss out there with a couple of tight ends much of the time.
Once the offense breaks the opposition’s 25-yard line, Henry will get an opportunity, because he brings something to the party that no one else has — his aforementioned physique. Pairing his size and reach with his standout ability to catch the football, Ryan Day and his offensive coordinator would be wise to take advantage of the mismatch Henry presents to opposing cornerbacks and safeties.
Julian Sayin is an accurate passer who has shown an ability to put the ball up where only his man can go get it. We’ve seen those passes thrown to Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and Max Klare in the past. Sayin will be able to throw high with confidence, knowing Henry can go up and get it and get a foot in bounds near the end line or in the corner of the end zone.
The Santa Ana, California native out of Mater Dei High School can instantly help the Buckeyes score points in the red zone. The closer to the end zone, the more dangerous he can be in that role, as teams have more and more responsibility for being aware of the run.
Sayin out of play action should have two freakish athletes who can go up and get the ball as Henry complements Jeremiah. Either can catch with one or two hands, but Henry may be even more suited to go up over a defender to make a catch.
Henry won’t typically be guarded by the opposition’s best man-to-man defender. Those opposing lock-down corners will likely be tasked with the unenviable job of covering Smith, who has been arguably the best receiver in the country for the last two seasons, even when playing hurt.
Henry, therefore, will not likely face as much physicality and the extra two inches and reach that he has on Smith will be a difference maker.
That isn’t to say Henry won’t get snaps elsewhere on the field. He performed well in the OSU Spring Game, but that typically means little during the regular season. Henry will need to adjust to the college game and may well work his way up the depth chart quickly, but if the coaching staff isn’t taking instant advantage of the unique qualities he brings to the team, it’s akin to malpractice.
The end zone fade is typically an iffy play, but Henry gives the team an unfair advantage on such a play, especially if he can turn his shoulders back toward the quarterback and get vertical before his defender. At that point, it just comes down to pass accuracy and getting a foot in bounds.
While I don’t know for a fact that this is how Day will use Henry, it’s a logical conclusion and with nearly three months to go before opening day, the freshman making an impact in the red zone is what I think I know.
