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Chip Kelly is making his highly anticipated NFL comeback! The former Eagles head coach is now the offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders, teaming up with Pete Carroll. After seven years in college—most recently leading Ohio State to a national title—Kelly, 61, is back in the big league. But his exit shakes things up. OSU’s Ryan Day now faces pressure, with key deals hanging in the balance, especially with USC waiting in the wings. The stakes just got higher!

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The key deal for OSU? Keeping their 5-star WR prodigy. He’s been locked in with the Buckeyes since July 2023, the first to commit to their 2026 class. But don’t think it’s a done deal. Oregon, Michigan, and USC are all in hot pursuit, trying to flip the script. The fight for this elite talent is far from over—and it’s only getting more intense!

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Meet the 5-star WR sensation—Chris Henry Jr.! At 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, he’s a force on the field. Hailing from Mater Dei High in Santa Ana, Henry Jr. is a playmaker with a 5-star, 0.9870 247Sports composite rating. He’s the top prospect in California, the No.1 WR in the nation, and the sixth overall recruit for 2026. This guy is next-level!

As of now, Chris Henry Jr. might just keep his talents in The Golden State! The five-star Ohio State commit recently took a scheduled visit to USC, according to Matt Moreno’s X post. The tweet read, “Five-star Ohio State WR commit Chris Henry Jr. arrives for the #USC junior day @USC_Rivals.

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Although Henry Jr. has consistently reaffirmed his commitment to the Buckeyes, but USC offers some serious perks that Columbus can’t match. Staying close to home and tapping into one of the nation’s top NIL collectives? That’s a tempting offer. And the decision just got a lot more interesting!

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And USC fans, keep your eyes peeled! If the Trojans secure Chris Henry Jr., they’ll grab the top wideout in the 2026 class. But it’s bigger than just one recruit. Landing Henry could signal a new era for Lincoln Riley’s USC as they aim to make waves in the Big Ten. This could be the start of something huge!

Don’t think Ryan Day is backing down without a fight! He’s determined to keep this 5-star WR in Ohio State’s 2026 class. Day’s strategy is crystal clear as he braces for this intense recruiting battle. He’s not letting go easily.

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What Ryan Day is plotting to beat USC

On the ‘Dan Patrick Show,’ Ryan Day was asked the million-dollar question: How does he keep star players in today’s NIL and transfer portal era? Day’s response? He’s got a plan to navigate the new landscape and keep the Buckeyes on top. In a world of big deals and transfers, Day’s staying ahead of the game!

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I think the first thing, you have to bring in great people and great families. But you also have to value them and try to do everything you can to get what they deserve and what’s fair. But there’s also something to be said for being around a program like ours. And you think if it’s all equal, you know, we’ll have a chance to get our share of guys,” said Ryan Day.

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It’s not just Ryan Day’s strategy at play—the Buckeyes have Brian Hartline on their side! With Hartline’s proven ability to develop elite wide receivers, flipping Chris Henry Jr. won’t be a walk in the park. Just look at Marvin Harrison Jr. and freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith—both players who fit Henry’s mold. Ohio State’s success with talent like that gives them a serious edge. But don’t count USC out just yet. The fight for Henry is on, and it will continue.

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Now, the big question: Who’s got the perfect formula to land this 5-star receiver? USC or OSU? It’s going to be a battle to remember—let’s see who comes out on top!

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Malabika Dutta

2,576 Articles

Malabika Dutta is a College Football News Writer at EssentiallySports, working on the Marquee Saturdays Desk. A graduate of the ES College Football Pro Writer Program, she specializes in breaking news and injury reports during live coverage while also developing off-field narratives that give fans a deeper understanding of players’ lives. Her recent work includes coverage of the Rourke family following Kurtis Rourke’s NFL Draft selection by the 49ers. Malabika combines a strong foundation in English Literature with hands-on sports journalism experience, contributing to national college football coverage and supporting the newsroom with timely reporting and contextual storytelling.

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Vineet Nandwana

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