Talk about a rollercoaster ride for Ohio State freshman Legend Bey in his debut. On one hand, Bey had everyone at The Shoe on their feet with his second-half touchdown, showing the explosiveness that had Ryan Day and his staff so interested in the first place. On the flip side, though, Bey's work on special teams was a disaster - no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
With that, Bey can't afford another showing as the team's kick returner. Matter of fact, if he even thinks about taking the ball out of the end zone when Brandon Inniss has his hands up in front of him, then Day is going to have to bench him, period.
That happened twice in the dominant win over Ball State, including on the very first kickoff of the season. Yes, it was a freshman mistake, and one that Day was going to let Bey get away with. The problem, however, was that Bey did it twice, after explicitly being told not to after the first mental lapse. That's not going to fly with Day, period.
OH NO Legend Bey pic.twitter.com/VdIOflPWD8
— Pick 6 Pack (@Pick6PackFB) September 5, 2026
Legend Bey needs to earn Ryan Day's trust back as Ohio State's kickoff return man
“I think the more disappointing thing is the second time it happened again,” Day said during his postgame presser. “There are things that are going to happen as a freshman, and I told Chris Henry Jr. (whose drop led to an interception) I think that Jeremiah’s (Smith) first play was a drop, and I said just keep playing through it, which he did, so it was good to see him catch that ball at the end, but what we can’t do is make the same mistake twice. Nobody felt worse than Legend about that, but those are trust things we're going to have to continue to work on to build trust within the coaches, teammates, and the team. You can see the talent, and he’s got a good attitude when it comes to being corrected, I think he has the right mindset when it comes to it. We’re going to work with him to get better."
Day really didn't mince words there, and it's a message that Bey has to take seriously. Keep in mind, too, that the speedster was suspended for the first two days of fall camp for an off-field issue that Day didn't really elaborate on. That was a disappointing way to begin his summer, but he worked his tail off to get back on the staff's good side.
And again, he flashed a ton of brilliance in the Week 1 victory, hauling in two receptions for 37 yards and a TD, while adding 37 more yards on the ground. Still, you could tell that Day wasn't happy with the two kickoff returns, which has to be corrected ASAP. There's no more room for error there.
"I think you obviously see what the talent is and what he can do with the ball in his hands," Day added. "It’s his job to continue to work to get better, build discipline and trust in the coaching staff. It’s our job as coaches to find ways to utilize his talents.” Felt worse than Legend on that, but those are trust things that we’ll need to continue to work on to build trust within the coaches and the teammates, but you can see the talent."
Bey messing up is something that Ohio State can get away with against a smaller school like Ball State. In a Top 10 showdown on the road against Texas in Week 2? No chance. It's on Bey to step up and make his coach proud. If he doesn't, then Day will need to make a quick switch vs. the Longhorns.
Add us as a preferred source on Google