Ohio State just added a major piece to its 2026 recruiting puzzle - and this one comes with a storyline that’s been anything but typical.
Four-star athlete Legend Bey, a dynamic offensive talent out of North Forney High School in Texas, is officially headed to Columbus. Bey, who initially committed to Tennessee during the early signing period, announced Tuesday that he’s flipping back to the Buckeyes after being granted a release from his scholarship agreement with the Volunteers.
It’s a rare twist in the recruiting world, but it’s clear Bey’s heart never left Ohio State.
The 6-foot, 180-pound speedster - ranked as the No. 4 athlete in the 2026 Rivals300 - had originally committed to Tennessee back in June. But after an official visit to Ohio State in November, which coincided with the Buckeyes’ high-profile win over Penn State, Bey flipped his verbal commitment to OSU. Still, when signing day rolled around on Dec. 4, he ended up putting pen to paper with Tennessee.
That decision, however, didn’t seem to reflect Bey’s true intentions. Reports quickly surfaced suggesting that the signing may not have been entirely his choice.
According to multiple sources, family dynamics played a significant role in the process, with Bey’s mother reportedly refusing to co-sign a National Letter of Intent to Ohio State. In fact, questions were raised about whether Bey himself even signed the paperwork that was submitted to Tennessee.
The day after signing, Bey posted - and then quickly deleted - a tweet implying that his mother and older brother had prevented him from choosing the school he wanted. And as the days went on, the signs pointing back to Ohio State only grew louder. Bey posted photos of himself in Buckeye gear on Instagram, captioning them with a clear message: “Imma do my own thing.”
That’s exactly what he’s doing now.
Because Bey was only 17 during the early signing period, he needed a parent’s approval to make it official. But with his 18th birthday coming up on Dec. 24, he’ll soon be eligible to finalize his decision on his own terms. While he can’t sign a National Letter of Intent right now - the early signing window is closed - he’s expected to enroll at Ohio State in January, making his commitment all but set in stone.
And make no mistake: this is a big-time get for Ryan Day and the Buckeyes.
Bey is a true offensive weapon. He played quarterback in high school, but he’s expected to line up at running back in Columbus, with the kind of versatility that could also see him split out wide.
His track speed is elite - he’s been clocked at 4.33 in the 40-yard dash and ran a blistering 10.23 in the 100 meters. That type of athleticism doesn’t just show up on paper - it shows up on Saturdays.
He joins a 2026 Ohio State class that’s already loaded with talent. The Buckeyes had previously signed one running back, four-star Favour Akih, and four wide receivers - headlined by five-star Chris Henry Jr., along with Jerquaden Guilford, Jaeden Ricketts, and Brock Boyd. Bey brings a different kind of skill set to that group, and his ability to play multiple positions adds even more flexibility to an already potent offensive class.
With Bey now in the fold, Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class stands at 28 members and ranks fifth nationally, trailing only USC, Alabama, Oregon, and Notre Dame. It marks the Buckeyes’ seventh straight top-five finish on the recruiting trail - a streak that trails only Alabama’s remarkable 19-year run.
From a recruiting drama to a homecoming of sorts, Legend Bey’s journey to Ohio State wasn’t straightforward. But in the end, he’s headed where he always wanted to be - and the Buckeyes are getting a playmaker who could make a serious impact in scarlet and gray.