A couple more college football award preseason watch lists were unveiled on Thursday, including the little-known Polynesian Player of the Year watch list, and Ohio State again has a player among the names. That player? Freshman wide receiver Chris Henry Jr.
The son of former NFL player Chris Henry, the California native was a five-star prospect and top receiver in the class of 2026. Despite a shortened senior season, he caught 24 passes for 588 yards and averaged nearly 25 yards per catch. He was the first player to commit to the Buckeyes in the class, and despite pulling back to reassess his options when Brian Hartline left to become the head coach at USF, Henry did decide to honor his commitment and is now competing for a starting job in the wide
receiver room. No matter what, he will see the field this fall and could be the next really good one to wear the scarlet and gray.
The Polynesian Player of the Year Award has only been around since 2015 and is administered by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. It is handed out annually to the most talented football player of Polynesian descent in high school, college, and the pros. And while Ohio State hasn't had a ton of players of Polynesian descent, a Buckeye player has won the award. Former defensive tackle Haskell Garrett was honored at the end of the 2021 season.
The Polynesian Player of the Year watch list has a Buckeye on it. 🌺@ChrisHenryJr is officially on the radar. 👀 pic.twitter.com/tjoEDHjPn8
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 20, 2026
Finalists for the award will be announced December 8, with the winner being unveiled on December 15.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State freshman makes Polynesian Player of the Year watch list
