Ohio State lands two freshmen on CBS Sports’ Big Ten watch list for 2026

CBS Sports’ preseason look at the Big Ten’s 2026 freshmen to watch included two Ohio State players, underscoring how quickly the program expects new talent to find roles on a roster built for contention. The list spotlights players league-wide, but Ohio State drew particular attention for the way its incoming group could connect to the passing game and create matchup problems as first-year players integrate into the offense.

Receiver Chris Henry Jr. was one of the names on CBS Sports’ list. Ohio State has recently emphasized how it keeps replenishing the receiver room with elite prospects, and Henry’s profile fits that pattern. In recruiting coverage summarized by 247Sports, Henry was described as a highly regarded prospect in Ohio State’s 2026 class, reflecting the expectation that he can move beyond development-only reps and push for immediate production.

The other Buckeye named by CBS Sports was Legend Bey, a versatile athlete whose path into the offense is expected to be less linear than a traditional receiver or running back. According to reporting tied to the CBS Sports evaluation, Bey’s skill set is tied to an ability to contribute in multiple ways, including looks out of the backfield. The angle is notable for Ohio State, because it can turn a single mismatch into several different play designs.

Buckeyes Wire’s recap of the CBS Sports write-up focused on how Bey’s strength and conditioning progress has helped translate his athletic traits into a more immediate football presence. That same coverage reported that the coaching staff had an extended look at Bey during spring due to circumstances affecting the running attack, and Bey capitalized on his opportunities during practice. The story also referenced a vivid comparison from head coach Brad Crawford’s piece, calling Bey a “poor man’s Tyreek Hill,” and framed the quote as praise for explosiveness rather than a literal one-for-one style match.

For Ohio State, there is a practical roster logic behind the attention to freshmen. The Buckeyes play in the Big Ten with championship expectations each season, and that environment rewards players who can earn trust early, whether as targets in space or as a different kind of weapon. Freshmen who can impact the passing game, or force defense adjustments by aligning in unexpected ways, often shorten the time a team needs to feel fully synced.

Still, the watch list does not guarantee immediate roles on Saturdays. Even at Ohio State, the jump from summer and spring to the full season is defined by grasp of assignments, protection responsibilities, and how quickly a player’s game translates to live-game decision-making. The key point for 2026 is that CBS Sports and Ohio State-connected recruiting coverage believe Henry and Bey give the Buckeyes high-upside options for early integration.

As the summer turns toward preseason camp, the most important question is how Ohio State chooses to package these freshmen within its offensive identity. Keep an eye on how often Henry is used as a true downfield option versus a high-tempo route-runner, and on whether Bey’s utilization stays experimentation-focused or solidifies into a recurring, designed touch package that opponents must prepare for each week.