The emergence and ascension of a WR2 could make or break the entire 2026 season for the Buckeyes. With questions along the offensive line, and about Julian Sayin, not having a second wide receiver for Sayin to throw to could be what results in another disappointing season for Ohio State.
There is a lot of excitement around Chris Henry Jr. this season. He comes in with tantalizing potential, and he shone in the Spring Game. Henry emerging as a go-to weapon for Sayin this season could be crucial towards
the Buckeyes playing deep into January.
Brandon Inniss is solid. My biggest concern, though, is that he has a ceiling and won’t step into the role Carnell Tate played in 2025.
Innis and Henry are really the only other two notable wide receivers on the roster. With tight end, there’s Nate Roberts, Bennett Christian, and Mason Williams. Somebody could emerge as a legitimate pass-catching option from there. Heck, a running back could be Ohio State’s second-leading receiver in 2026.
But that is a concern for the Buckeyes going into this season.
Julian Sayin is a really good quarterback. He showed in 2025 that his accuracy and pocket presence are proficient. But it’s extending plays and making plays as a runner that can take him to the next level.
Sayin doesn’t have to be Justin Fields in that regard, but having some of those elements to his game can help him reach another level.
In addition, it’s one thing for a quarterback to have one elite wide receiver to throw to. But when he has two, he can do anything… even with a bad offensive line.
Offenses can still be high-flying with a bad offensive line. If they have two playmaking wide receivers, quarterbacks can get the ball out quicker, and the offensive line doesn’t have to hold up as long in their protection.
Remember Super Bowl LV, when Patrick Mahomes was running for his life against Tampa Bay’s defense? But that was because he knew he had playmakers in Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce to get the ball to, trusting those guys to get open if he could buy time running around.
Sayin hasn’t yet shown he can extend plays by running around and having a receiver get open. We’ve seen him roll out to the right occasionally, which is good. But having two receivers that can get open if Sayin has to escape pressure could take the Buckeyes’ offense to another level this season.
That’s where having a second wide receiver that can complement what Jeremiah Smith does is crucial for the Buckeyes.
Is that Chris Henry Jr.? It would be great if it were, and he has every opportunity to be that WR2.
Every great quarterback had two really good or great wide receivers to throw to. Peyton Manning had Reggie Wayne opposite Marvin Harrison. Tom Brady had Wes Welker in addition to Randy Moss. Joe Burrow has Tee Higgins running with Ja’Marr Chase. Kurt Warner had Torry Holt alongside Isaac Bruce.
Who is going to be that guy with Jeremiah Smith this season for the Buckeyes? That question could define the entire 2026 Buckeyes and how deep they play into January.
