Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day certainly set expectations for freshman running back and Tennessee Volunteers flip Legend Bey ahead of a 2026 season in which the RB position is expected to be re-prioritized.
Day set them at "Cheetah," comparing the multi-sport North Forney (TX) star to Tyreek Hill, who was a receiver with breakneck speed out of the backfield. Bey is a multi-positional threat who has also played quarterback and receiver. Bey was also a track star in the Lone Star State's District 10-6A division.
“He’s dynamite,” Day said of Bey. “I’ve called him poor man’s Tyreke Hill. He’s lightning in a bottle, and he can do a lot of things for us.”
Under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the running game will be a focal point. Under old offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, the run was merely a means to set up receivers for a downfield strike. Bey comes to the program at a good time. Especially given recent injury news.
Bo Jackson and Isaiah West both happen to be recovering from offseason shoulder surgeries, which should give Bey a chance to snag extra spring reps.
"The absence of the two sophomore backs creates plenty of opportunity to build depth behind them in transfer Ja’Kobi Jackson, sophomore Turbo Rogers , and incoming freshmen Favour Akih and Legend Bey," Cleveland.com's Stephan Means wrote.
Legend Bey on why he flipped from Tennessee to Ohio State
Bey was highly complimentary of Day's staff when he flipped from Tennessee to Ohio State this past December. In particular, Bey shouted out Mickey Marotti, who's been building NFL-quality players in Columbus for close to 14 years now.
“Just the fact it’s a winning school,” Bey said to 247Sports' Mike Roach. “I want to win and be in the best position to be around guys of my caliber. Ohio State has incredible development and a winning culture.
“I know they have the best strength and conditioning coach in the nation. Also, I’ve been communicating with them since the beginning of my sophomore year. I have a great relationship with the coaches at Ohio State,” Bey said.
With how much faith Day and Co. have in him, Bey should expect to be fast-tracked to stardom if his development is on time. Jackson is still RB1, but there's a chance to steal reps in that backfield. Jackson's 2025 season is proof Day isn't afraid to let his workhorses loose if they can handle the collegiate physicality.