Legend Bey’s Recruitment Saga Takes Another Turn: Is Ohio State Back in Play?
The Legend Bey recruitment rollercoaster isn’t over just yet - and based on the latest intel, things might be swinging back toward Columbus.
Bey, a four-star athlete in the 2026 class, has already flipped once, then flipped back again - and now, he might be flipping for a third time. According to recruiting insider Sam Spiegelman, Bey is actively seeking a release from his National Letter of Intent with Tennessee, and all signs point to Ohio State as the likely landing spot if that release is granted.
Let’s rewind for a second. Bey initially committed to Tennessee over the summer, then flipped to Ohio State on November 10.
That move looked like a done deal - until early signing day on December 3, when he re-committed to Tennessee and signed with the Vols. But there was more going on behind the scenes.
Reports surfaced the next day indicating that Bey, who was still 17 at the time, had wanted to sign with Ohio State. However, since he was a minor, his mother’s signature was required - and she reportedly preferred Tennessee.
Now, with Bey turning 18 on Christmas Eve, the situation has shifted. He no longer needs parental consent to make his decision official, and according to Spiegelman, he and his camp have already submitted a request for release from Tennessee. That request is still pending, but could be granted any day now.
“This is in the works,” Spiegelman said during an appearance on The Inside Scoop. “Whether it was his mother or somebody else who forged his signature, Tennessee got a signature on national signing day.
They got the flip done at the buzzer. However, it does look like they are going to get out of this.
This is going to be another flip, potentially, in the works for Legend Bey between Tennessee and, what we’re assuming, is Ohio State.”
And while Ohio State remains the frontrunner, the Buckeyes aren’t the only team still in the mix. Texas and Texas A&M - both close to home for the Texas native - have reportedly continued to show strong interest. But it sounds like the Buckeyes have been the most aggressive in recent weeks, especially with Carlos Locklyn leading the charge.
Locklyn, who previously recruited Bey while at Oregon, has remained a key figure in Bey’s recruitment even after moving to Ohio State. His relationship with the athlete - and the visit to Columbus - may have been the tipping point.
“Once that visit happened, I think that Legend’s mind was ultimately made up,” Spiegelman said. “Maybe not for everyone in his family, but certainly, I expect Ohio State to eventually win this battle.”
That said, Tennessee isn’t giving up without a fight. Head coach Josh Heupel and his staff are reportedly still working to keep Bey in the fold.
They beat out Texas A&M during official visits earlier this year and clearly made a strong impression on Bey’s family, especially his mother. But the momentum seems to be shifting again - and this time, it may be out of their hands.
What’s added even more intrigue to this saga is Bey’s behavior since signing. On December 4, just one day after inking with Tennessee, he posted - and quickly deleted - a cryptic tweet suggesting a rift within his family about his college decision. “Good Afternoon, I was just recently logged out of my IG and probably will be logged out of this Account as well by my older brother who has access to my account because, I won’t sign to the school him and my mother wants,” he wrote.
Then, on December 12, Bey posted a series of workout photos on Instagram - decked out in bright red Ohio State gear - with the caption, “Imma do my own thing.”
That message, paired with the release request and Spiegelman’s latest report, paints a clear picture: Bey is ready to take control of his recruitment, and Ohio State appears to be the destination he’s eyeing.
Of course, Tennessee still holds the cards until that release is granted. But even if Bey remains officially signed with the Vols, the transfer portal looms in early January. Once he turns 18, he’ll have more autonomy over his path - and the Buckeyes are positioned to capitalize.
This recruitment has already seen its fair share of twists, and we may not be done yet. But one thing’s clear: Legend Bey’s story is far from over, and the next chapter could be written in scarlet and gray.