Ohio State football freshman RB Legend Bey hit with some early adversity as Buckeyes begin fall camp
There’s a bit of hype around who Legend Bey can be for the Buckeyes in 2026, but he’s starting off fall camp on the wrong foot.
The Ohio State Buckeyes opened fall camp on Thursday with one notable absence. Freshman running back Legend Bey will miss the first couple of practices due to a violation of team rules, coach Ryan Day revealed following the first practice session in Columbus.
“He won’t practice the first couple days,” Day said after practice. “A little violation of team rules, so he’s learning, but he’ll be back on the field soon.”
Bey, a 5-foot-10, 177-pound back out of Texas, was a top-150 recruit in the class of 2026 whom Ohio State landed over Tennessee. While he played quarterback in high school, his athletic ability and speed translate better to a role where he can work in space, which is why the Buckeyes have him listed at running back with the potential to catch passes as a wide receiver.
A rough start for the talented Ohio State freshman
The team rules violation adds to what has been a difficult start to Bey’s Ohio State career. He was limited throughout the spring and did not practice at all during that stretch. Now, missing the opening days of fall camp puts him further behind as he tries to carve out a role on a loaded roster.
Day did not go into detail about what the violation entailed, and that is consistent with how he handles these situations. We will likely never know what happened.
Ohio State is set to roll with Bo Jackson and Isaiah West as its top two running backs this fall. Florida transfer Ja’Kobi Jackson slots in as the third back on paper, leaving Bey fighting for reps on the fringe of the rotation.
Bey had a chance to push for that third spot or create his own role with his ability to catch passes and carry the ball out of the backfield. Missing the first couple of practices after an inconsistent spring is tough news for a player Ohio State scratched and clawed to land as a recruit.
The best thing Bey can do from here is buy completely in once he returns to practice and stay on the right path to put himself in the best position possible in Columbus. The Buckeyes carry big-time expectations heading into 2026, and opportunities will be there for freshmen who are ready to seize them.
