Ohio State kicks off the 2026 season when it faces Ball State this Saturday on the banks of the Olentangy. When the Buckeyes take the field, they will do so with 51 new players coming via the transfer portal and the 2026 recruiting class. Many of the new faces are expected to contribute, but few have garnered the kind of buzz as freshman Legend Bey.
There was a sense all through spring practice and fall camp that this kid could be electric, and now it's been confirmed that Bey will have the first crack to show what he can do by way of kick returner. Ryan Day spoke with reporters earlier today and shared that Bey had shown enough to be trusted with the ball in his hands. With Ohio State being a 50-point favorite, the opportunities may be few and far
between, but should he get the chance, it sounds like it will be must-see TV.
Ryan Day on who you’ll see returning punts and kicks for Ohio State on Saturday.
— Dillon Davis (@DillonDavis56) September 2, 2026
He said if everything continues to go according to plan, Legend Bey will be back there to return the first kickoff of the season for the Buckeyes. pic.twitter.com/J1rN89jD2E
How good can Bey be? Well, Jeremiah Smith seems to think pretty highly of the youngster, saying that he'll win a Heisman or at least be a finalist before his time in Scarlet and Gray is done. That's quite a prediction, but one that carries more weight considering who it's coming from.
Heisman or not, it sounds like Legend Bey has all the tools to live up to his name. And he'll have the opportunity go prove it right from the get go.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ryan Day confirms freshman star will return kicks in season opener
