Ohio State freshman running back Legend Bey had a dramatic and eventful path to eventually signing with the Buckeyes out of high school, reportedly against the wishes of his mother. Now, after a promising season-opening performance, his first year with the Buckeyes is seemingly off to a rocky start due to some off-the-field issues.
The issues apparently began before the season even kicked off, as Bey was suspended for multiple practices at the beginning of the team’s fall practices as a result of what Ohio State coach Ryan Day described as “a little violation of team rules.”
“Yeah, he won’t practice the first couple of days,” Day said, via Bucknuts Steve Helwagen. “Yeah, a little violation of team rules, so he’s learning, but he’ll be back on the field soon.”
Despite the early setback, Bey made a splash during the team’s season-opener against Ball State.
Bey was actually the first Ohio State player to touch the ball this season as he started the team’s season-opening game against Ball State as the team’s kickoff returner. It didn’t go perfectly – Bey ignored a signal to kneel the ball in the end zone for a touchback on back-to-back kickoffs – but he still left a positive impression in the game, totaling 74 yards and a touchdown on eight touches.
Legend Bey takes it to the house 🏠
📺: @BigTenNetwork https://t.co/en6kSv6VdW
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 5, 2026
The following week, Ohio State traveled to Austin to take on the No. 4 Texas Longhorns. Bey played sparingly in the game, getting just one carry that went for zero yards, which was understandable given the stakes and his lack of experience. Then, against Kent State the following week, Bey suffered an ankle injury during the first half of the game and didn’t return, finishing with one rush for zero yards once again.
“He tweaked his ankle early, and hopefully we’ll get him back this week,” Day said after the game. “We’ll get him evaluated and see. He was trying to get back in there, but wasn’t cleared.”
Day’s Cryptic Comments
Following the injury against Kent State, Bey did not appear in Ohio State’s 42-19 road win over Illinois, despite being listed as healthy and available with no injury designation leading up to the game. Day was not asked about Bey’s status during his postgame press conference immediately following the 42-19 win.
While he was asked about the running back’s status leading up to Ohio State’s road contest with the No. 14 Iowa Hawkeyes, Day was rather coy in his response, suggesting that Bey’s status for Saturday’s game would come down to the coaching staff’s ability to trust him.
“That’ll be based on how the practice goes this week, how he does,” Day said during his weekly press conference. “We all know his ability level. He’s just got to continue to work to build trust, but we would definitely love to see him on the field.”
When Bey once again did not see the field against Iowa, Day addressed Bey’s continued absence as part of an answer to a question about fellow star freshman Khary Wilder, who has also seen limited playing time despite his obvious talent. This time, Day was a bit more vague when discussing why Bey hadn’t seen the field the past two weeks.
“Not just particular about Khary [Wilder], but when you’re coming into the program, whether you’re a freshman or you’re a transfer, we all say you have an opportunity to compete for jobs, and guys have certain levels of talent. We recruit guys to come in and play. That’s why they’re here. We wouldn’t invest all the time and resources into each player if we didn’t want them to play,” Day said Tuesday via Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors. “Now, it’s the coaches’ job to make sure that they’re checking all the boxes and all the requirements to make sure that they’ve earned the opportunity to get on the field. It’s also the player’s responsibility to take the accountability to check those boxes, all the things that they need to do in order to get on the field. Nobody just gets on the field because they have talent, but it’s the coaches’ job and the player’s job to make sure they’re doing all the things that they need to do to earn opportunities to play.
“When that happens, you’ve seen we put them on the field. Whether it’s a transfer that comes in day one or a freshman, then we’ll do that. When guys don’t do that, then they haven’t earned the opportunity to play, then they need to do that.”
It’s clear, based on Day’s explanations, that Bey’s absence has not been related to his health. However, Day left it pretty ambiguous as to why Bey was not playing and what he needed to do to earn his way back onto the field.
“Nobody wants to get these guys on the field more than we do, but we all have a responsibility,” he said. “It’s our job as coaches to get them to where they need to be, but it’s also the players’ responsibility to make sure they’re doing that. So, if we can have a good week here, then I’m hoping we can see those guys on the field.”
Off-the-field issues
Bey’s lack of playing time comes after a pair of off-the-field legal matters this year, according to Franklin County Municipal Court records obtained by Comeback Media.
In January, the Ohio State Highway Patrol cited Bey for driving 96 mph in a 65 mph zone on SR 315 southbound. He pleaded guilty and paid $212 in fines and court costs on Feb. 4, waiving his court appearance.
It’s not clear whether Bey’s suspension from practice in August was related to this citation or whether it was due to a separate violation of team rules.
More recently, Bey was the defendant in an eviction case filed Sept. 2 by Oakwood Management Company. The complaint says he had not paid August rent on his apartment near campus.
The landlord served Bey a notice to leave on Aug. 24, citing nonpayment of rent and/or utilities. A magistrate ruled in the landlord’s favor on Sept. 21.
A writ of restitution was issued Sept. 23, and the landlord requested a set-out, the step that schedules a tenant’s removal, on Sept. 28. The landlord sought possession of the unit, not back rent.
A source close to the program suggested the court cases aren’t the only off-the-field concerns that Bey has been facing.
“With Legend, it’s always something,” the source told Comeback Media. “He has a lot of growing up to do.”
It is unclear whether any of those matters have factored into Bey’s playing time. Day has not publicly cited off-field issues when discussing his status. Ohio State did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Bey’s legal issues or his status with the team.
While Bey has remained healthy the past two weeks and showcased his talent early in the season, he has not played a snap since Sept. 19.