The clash between Big Ten champs and national champs? It’s heating up, and Buckeye fans are definitely on edge. This 6-foot-5 Mater Dei superstar, who committed to OSU back in the summer of 2023, is at the center of it all. But this recruitment battle is far from over. Because the Ducks? They aren’t just knocking; they’re kicking the door down. And his latest visit? Pure electricity. Smiles, energy, and nothing but green and yellow love. So, Dan Lanning is locked in, pushing, pressuring, and pulling out all the stops to flip him. And now, fresh intel just dropped—Oregon’s pursuit is reaching another level.
That 5-star OSU commit? It’s WR Chris Henry Jr. But is his recruitment really a done deal? Not even close. He’s still making moves, including another visit to Oregon this week. And it’s not his first trip to Eugene. He’s sat down with Dan Lanning before, and he’s coming back again. Yes, an official visit is already on the books for later this year, so the Ducks are staying in the fight. And when On3’s Josh Newberg, on the March 17th episode of On3 Recruits, asked Oregon insider Max Torres of ScoopDuck, “Is the flip talk starting to heat up with Chris Henry Jr.?”—the buzz got even louder.
However, the Oregon insider didn’t hesitate, and his response was quick and clear. “I don’t know if it’s heating up, but it’s certainly staying at a nice, steady pace right now,” said Torres. Safe to say, no wild speculation, just the facts. And while he recalled his last conversation with Chris Henry Jr. after his Junior Day visit to Oregon, the message was firm—”As long as Brian Hartline is at Ohio, he’s pretty much rocking with the Buckeyes,” stated Max. Therefore, Oregon may be in the mix, but for now, Henry Jr. is standing strong with OSU.
We all know Chris Henry Jr. didn’t wait around, and he locked in his commitment to OSU before even starting his sophomore season. But don’t be fooled—his recruitment is still buzzing. Because this kid is special, yeah, he is a pure playmaker. That’s why Buckeye fans are fired up about his future, and they should be. He’s the No. 2 prospect in California, the No. 2 WR in the nation, and a top-10 talent in the entire 2026 class. But if Dan Lanning has his way? That future won’t unfold in Columbus; it’ll shine bright in Eugene.
However, Max followed up with more insight, and he said, “But another visit out to Eugene, he gets to meet new wide receivers coach Ross Douglas.” So, while Henry Jr. is keeping the door open, the Ducks are right there. And following that, Max continued, “I don’t know if the flip talk is heating up, but Oregon is consistently staying in the picture there as the school that you have to watch if anybody is going to be able to pull off one of the biggest flips here in the 2026 recruiting class.” The message is clear—Oregon isn’t just hanging around; they’re a real threat.
Although Max played it safe, Josh Newberg didn’t hold back, and he made it clear, saying, “Yeah, I know you can’t say—you cover Oregon, and you know you don’t want to go too far—but I can tell you from my perspective, things are heating up between the Ducks and Chris Henry Jr.” No hesitation, no doubt, and the Ducks are making a real push. But Henry Jr. wasn’t the only star in town.
Five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson, the No. 1 LB in America, was back in Eugene too. Big names, big visits, and Oregon aren’t slowing down.
Can Dan Lanning flip Chris Henry Jr.?
Circle June 13 on the calendar. That’s when Chris Henry Jr. makes his official visit to Oregon. And this trip could be a game-changer. You know, when the time comes to make a final decision, this visit might hold serious weight. But you already knew that; however, Oregon isn’t the only school in the mix. Henry is also set to visit Miami and USC. So, while the Ducks have competition, every visit matters.
Chris Henry Jr with Dan Lanning https://t.co/dsGeEs4QvN pic.twitter.com/G2j4fJoTOv
— Oregon Updates (@oregon__updates) March 15, 2025
However, Chris Henry Jr. is no stranger to big visits. And his schedule? Absolutely packed. It all kicks off on May 30 with an official visit to Michigan. Then, on June 6, he heads to USC. And finally, on June 20, he wraps things up with the Buckeyes. Well, three powerhouse programs and three chances to make an impression.
As of now, a return trip to Columbus, and his final official visit, will give him a chance to sit down with Ryan Day and Brian Hartline to talk about his future in the B1G. Although, on paper, he’s locked in with the Buckeyes, make no mistake—Oregon is closing the gap. Yes, the Ducks aren’t backing down. Now, let’s see who can check all the boxes for Henry Jr.
The post Oregon Insider Drops Massive Intel on Dan Lanning’s Aggressive Push to Flip Ryan Day’s 5-Star OSU Commit appeared first on EssentiallySports.
