High school football: Five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. transferring to Mater Dei

Former Withrow (Cincinnati) high school football standout Chris Henry Jr. announced on X that he is transferring to Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) to finish his career. The five-star wide receiver was a first team selection on the MaxPreps Sophomore All-America squad after posting 71 receptions for 1,127 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Henry is the top-rated wideout in the Class of 2026 and seventh-rated player overall among sophomores according to 247Sports. He committed to Ohio State in July.

Henry joins a program that is fresh off a CIF Open Division state championship and returns plenty of talent, including Mark Bowman, Jordon Davison, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Daryus Dixson, Marcus Harris, C.J. Lavender, Lex Mailangi, Chuck McDonald III, Abduall Sanders, Shaun Scott, Sione Tohi and Nasir Wyatt.

The Monarchs will have one of the best receiving corps in the country next season with Henry joining Dixon-Wyatt and Harris. 

Harris, a top 10 wideout in the Class of 2025, finished as the second-leading receiver with 43 receptions for 644 yards and six touchdowns. Dixon-Wyatt, who already has offers from the likes of Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Oklahoma and Texas, was third on the team with 33 receptions for 512 yards and six scores.

Last year's CIF Open Division champs have to replace Elijah Brown at quarterback after a decorated four-year career as the starter leading the Monarchs to a 42-2 record. Furian Infererra and Reagan Toki both saw limited action last season as freshman.

Mater Dei has finished ranked in the top 10 every season since 2016 and have won four CIF Open Division state titles over the last seven years.