How the Ohio State Buckeyes Can Best Use Chris Henry Jr. in 2026

How the Ohio State Buckeyes Can Best Use Chris Henry Jr. in 2026
The Ohio State Buckeyes are typically a sought-after program by recruits, but this elite talent may look elsewhere due to their weak NIL offer.
Savion Hiter is a name to keep an eye on for Ohio State Buckeyes fans. There’s about a 50% shot that he ends up in the Big Ten as well.
The 5-star talent is down to just four schools and will make his decision on August 19. Those programs are Michigan, Tennessee, Ohio State and Georgia. All elite programs with strong pedigrees for developing talent, Hiter really couldn’t go wrong, but Columbus certainly wants to draw the star in. However, NIL is the name of the game in many recruiting cases these days, and the Buckeyes may not be stepping up to the plate in that department.
From Mineral, VA, Hiter is ranked as the 17th-best player per 247Sports and the best back in the class. Now, in the composite scoring, he is ranked as a top-ten player overall. That said, the Buckeyes and Bulldogs may be taking a back seat in his recruiting.
“Georgia and Ohio State still have Hiter on their radar, and both would love to land him, but sources said that neither is willing to do what Michigan and Tennessee are talking about from a revenue-sharing/NIL standpoint,” said 247Sports national recruiting analyst Brian Dohn.
Recruiting by Carlos Locklyn, the Buckeyes could certailny use his talent. Ohio State has Favour Akih lined up in the class, but it really doesn’t have a star back. Hiter is ranked as the top back and then The Texas A&M Aggies, Oregon Ducksand Alabama Crimson Tide have the following three recruits. Ohio State doesn’t have a top-15 player at the position, and although the transfer portal is a huge source of talent, being able to lock in Hiter would be crucial for the future of the position.