The Tennessee football team has an incredible 2026 class on the way, with playmakers ready to make things official during the Early Signing Period next month. However, there's one elite speedster who is going to be Columbus-bound instead of playing for the Vols.
Tennessee football moves up in the CFP rankings which no one expected
That'd be 4-star wide receiver Legend Bey, who was previously committed to Tennessee. The thought of him catching balls from Faizon Brandon had a lot of people excited, but he flipped to Ohio State in a move that no Tennessee fan wanted to see.
Neither did Josh Heupel. Per Rivals' Steve Wiltfong, head man Josh Heupel flew down to Texas last week during the bye to check in with Bey and remind him of the plans the Vols had for him in Knoxville. It was a last-ditch effort by Heupel, but it unfortunately didn't work:
On3s Steve Wiltfong on new Ohio State commit Legend Bey:
— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) November 11, 2025
“Tennessee HC Josh Huepel flew down to Texas last Friday in an effort to try and hold on to Legend Bey's commitment”
It didn’t work pic.twitter.com/zZh4VAsYtg
Josh Heupel did not want to see Legend Bey flip from Tennessee to Ohio State
"Think of a modern-day Curtis Samuel for Ohio State," Wiltfong said. "He can play running back, receiver, slot, return game - he's an absolute weapon. This is a huge flip from Tennessee. The Vols sent Josh Heupel down there on Friday to try and keep him in the class. Texas extended a late offer, but it's Ohio State."
Yeah, this stings. Heupel did everything he could to prevent Bey from changing his mind, but following his recent official visit to Ohio State for the win over Penn State, it felt like the writing was on the wall here. Bey originally committed to Tennessee in late June, but Ohio State never gave up.
The Vols still have plenty of receiver talent on the way, of course including 5-star Tristen Keys and 4-star Tyreek King. Could some help be coming via the portal too? That's unknown, but losing Bey isn't going to break this class.
With that said, the Texas product has incredible speed and he was going to be a problem for SEC defenses for the next 4-5 years. Instead, Michigan, Penn State and the rest of the Big Ten will have to worry about slowing him down now that Bey will be suiting up for Ryan Day and his staff.