Legend Bey’s first fall practice with Ohio State didn’t go the way the Buckeyes wanted, or the way the freshman running back needed it to.
Bey, who was one of the most talked-about players in spring practice, was absent when camp opened. Ryan Day later confirmed the reason: Bey was suspended for a violation of team rules. Day didn’t offer any specifics, but he said Bey missed the first day and could be out for more practices during the opening week.
That’s a rough beginning for a player who had already built some buzz in the spring before an injury kept him out of the spring game. Ohio State had been eager to see what the true freshman could do once camp got rolling, especially with all the running backs now healthy after a difficult spring.
Instead, the first chance to make an early push was gone before it really started.
Bo Jackson and Isaiah West entered camp as the top two backs on the depth chart, and Bey had a shot to work his way into the next spot. Day had said in the spring that the staff wanted to get Bey on the field as a freshman. Now, though, the focus shifts to whether he can get back on track quickly enough to keep that opportunity alive.
Day said he was pleased with what he saw from Jackson and West on the first day. He also singled out West, saying this was the best he has looked physically since his injury.
Ohio State’s backfield is deep enough that Bey’s absence doesn’t leave the room short-handed, but it does matter for his own standing. With the Buckeyes aiming to play 16 games this season, keeping the running backs healthy will be a priority, and Day has made clear over the last couple of years that Ohio State is at its best when it can run the ball effectively.
That was part of the formula during the 2024 national championship run, when TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins were both key pieces. It also fits with Arthur Smith’s style, as he has leaned on his backs heavily in the past, including Derrick Henry, Bijan Robinson and Jaylen Warren.
If Bey can’t correct course soon, the chance to carve out an early role could slip away. And if that happens, Ja'Kobi Jackson could strengthen his grip on the third spot behind Jackson and West.
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