MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — The recruitment of Chris Henry Jr., the five-star wide receiver and son of late West Virginia legend Chris Henry, has taken yet another dramatic turn — and the Mountaineers are not out of the race.
According to a new report from On3’s Steve Wiltfong, West Virginia has made a strong late push for Henry following his decision not to sign with Ohio State during the early signing period. Henry initially committed to the Buckeyes but did not submit his paperwork after lead recruiter Brian Hartline accepted the head coaching job at USF. That development has opened the door for multiple national powers… including WVU.
Oregon will continue its pursuit of Ohio State Five-Star Plus+ WR commit Chris Henry Jr.👀
Rivals’ @SWiltfong_ has the latest…
Intel: https://t.co/4i3KGWOfVj pic.twitter.com/0tWPynoUMl
— Rivals (@Rivals) November 24, 2025
Wiltfong writes that while Oregon remains the heavy favorite to land Henry, and USC is offering a massive financial package, West Virginia has re-entered the conversation with real momentum — momentum driven by legacy, relationships, and aggressive NIL support.
WVU “Not Out” — and Pushing Hard
Sources tell Voice of Morgantown that West Virginia is “doing everything financially possible” to bring Henry to Morgantown. That includes:
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Major NIL backing
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Heavy involvement from the staff
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Strong communication with the Henry family
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Leveraging the connection to his father, a Mountaineer icon
Henry Jr. is the nephew of former WVU great Pacman Jones, a longtime supporter of the program and vocal advocate for keeping Chris Jr. in West Virginia’s orbit. That family connection continues to play a role behind the scenes.
While WVU is not considered a frontrunner at this moment, Wiltfong emphasized that the Mountaineers are “not out of it” and are making the type of strong, late-stage push that can shift momentum in a prolonged recruitment.
The Contenders
Oregon (Favorite)
The Ducks have surged following the Hartline departure and are viewed as the team to beat. Their NIL infrastructure is among the strongest in the country.
USC (Heavy NIL Offer)
USC has reportedly put together an enormous financial package to lure Henry to Los Angeles. Their pitch: immediate stardom in Lincoln Riley’s offense.
Ohio State (Still Alive)
Despite losing Hartline, Ohio State remains in the mix. Henry has deep ties there and the Buckeye staff is still fighting to keep him.
West Virginia (The Dark Horse)
Legacy. Fit. Culture. NIL improving quickly.
And the chance to write his own story where his father became a legend.
West Virginia may not be the favorite, but they are swinging with everything they have.
Why Henry Didn’t Sign
Hartline’s departure changed the landscape dramatically. Henry Jr. had a strong personal relationship with him, and his move to USF delayed Henry’s signing and reopened the door for other programs.
That hesitation was the opportunity schools like Oregon, USC, and WVU needed.
Can WVU Pull This Off?
Realistically, it remains an uphill battle.
Oregon’s resources are enormous.
USC’s NIL pitch is massive.
Ohio State has the history and prestige.
But WVU has one thing the others don’t:
Home.
And in recruiting — especially with legacy prospects — that still matters.
West Virginia’s staff is pushing harder now than at any point in Henry’s recruitment. If the momentum shifts, even subtly, the Mountaineers could become a legitimate contender late in the process.
