Best Wide Receiver in the Nation? Prep Network Exclusive Interview
Anwar Stetson
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Living Up to the Hype
Last week, No. 1 ranked Class of 2026 Chris Henry Jr. shut down the high school football scene with a dominant performance against St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.). He equally impressed prep football fans with his inspiring backstory. So we had to see him in person for ourselves!
READ THE FULL STORY OF CHRIS HENRY JR.’S JOURNEY TO HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
On Sept. 5, Henry Jr. and the Mater Dei Monarchs hosted the Kahuku Red Raiders visiting from Hawaii.
We caught all the action up close and personal from the sidelines at Santa Ana Stadium as Mater Dei defeated Kahuku 21-18 in a nail-biting contest. Now 2-0, the Monarchs under second-year head coach Raul Lara have kept their foot on the gas as a national powerhouse in high school football.
The private school has an ever-growing list of successful alumni, like Matt Leinart, Bryce Young, and other NFL players and Heisman Trophy winners. Chris Henry Jr. could be the next in line to take the scarlet colors to new heights.
We caught up with Henry Jr. after the win, talking about his performance, embracing his father’s legacy, and his future plans for college football.
Talking to Chris Henry Jr.
Chris Henry Jr. is a long way from his original home. Born in North Carolina, Henry Jr. started high school in Cincinnati, Ohio, where a decade earlier, his dad was a burgeoning wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Chris Henry Sr. passed under tragic circumstances in 2009, but Junior is keeping his legacy alive. “It means the world to me, you know?” Henry Jr. told Prep Network postgame Friday. “I looked up to my father, and you know it’s just… I’m just blessed to be in this position for sure.”
The 6’6 wide receiver is turning heads all over the nation, with the potential to be an even better player than his father. Heading into his junior year, Henry Jr. and his family took a leap of faith and moved to Southern California to maximize Henry Jr.’s opportunities at Mater Dei.
Orange County is a much different environment than the Midwest, and powerhouse schools like Mater Dei are often put under a microscope. But Henry Jr. feels right at home: “I’ve definitely gotten acclimated,” Henry Jr. continued. “I’m loving Mater Dei. Everybody here [are] my brothers. Yeah, I’m loving it.”
Though he lost most of his junior year to a leg injury, he’s finally getting the playing time he’s worked towards. His monstrous game against St. Thomas Aquinas was capped by an 81-yard touchdown grab snatching the ball from the potential clutches of his defender. He finished with 134 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the 26-23 win.
Friday’s game against Kahuku started off a little slower. He had four receptions for 24 yards in the 21-18 victory. Henry Jr. was just “glad we got the win,” before they face Corona Centennial (Calif.) on September 12.
Opponent Bishop Montgomery (Calif.) forfeited their game with Mater Dei on Aug. 30 after a booster scandal canceled their 2025 season. Because of the forfeit, the Monarchs will play one fewer game this season than expected, making every win and loss that much more important.
Either way, Chris won’t worry too much about his college football future. He’s committed to play college football for the reigning national champion Ohio State Buckeyes. Rocking Ohio State branded gear Friday night, Henry Jr. has Buckeye fans excited about their future star. “[Ohio State] just going to get a good ball player, and even better person,” he finished.
Before they become pro stars, they shock the world as prep stars. We’re glad to be able to shine a light on a future superstar before he shuts down the world at the next level.