Ohio State freshman running back Legend Bey got off to a rocky start in preseason training camp.
He missed the Buckeyes’ first two practices in early August due to an unspecified violation of team rules.
But Bey has since bounced back, losing his black stripe on Aug. 25 less than two weeks before the Buckeyes open their season against Ball State.
Bey also drew significant praise the following day from Jeremiah Smith, the Buckeyes’ superstar wide receiver who recalled a prediction he made to left guard Luke Montgomery during spring practice.
“I said before Legend Bey leaves Ohio State,” Smith said, “he’ll be a Heisman finalist, or he’ll end up
winning it.”
It remains to be determined how much of an immediate factor Bey will be in the backfield rotation, which is led by returning running backs Bo Jackson and Isaiah West, but his tantalizing potential has been apparent since the Buckeyes wrested him away from Tennessee last December.
Bey, who was a quarterback at North Forney High School in Texas, was the nation’s No. 127 overall prospect in the last recruiting class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, and was regarded as a versatile playmaker who could make an impact as both a runner and receiver.
Smith's prediction was still lofty. Since coach Ryan Day took over the program in 2019, the Buckeyes have produced six Heisman Trophy finalists, including quarterback Julian Sayin last season, but they have not had a winner of college football’s most prestigious individual award since Troy Smith in 2006.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com and follow him on @joeyrkaufman on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jeremiah Smith sees Heisman potential in Ohio State's freshman Legend Bey
