Sports

Tennessee Football Recruit Demands Exit Following Forged Signature Controversy

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Legend Bey signs with Tennessee

iStockphoto / © Lori Schmidt / Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images


Legend Bey is no longer expected to play football at the University of Tennessee. The four-star prospect recently asked to be released from his letter of intent.

The news comes as no surprise following a roller coaster recruitment. His next destination is expected to be Ohio State.

Bey is considered a Top 200 player in the 2026 cycle. The battle to secure his signature was dramatic.

Bey committed to Tennessee in late June a few weeks after a visit to Knoxville. He remained firm on that commitment up through November.

The athlete took a trip to the Ohio State campus a month before signing day. It made him rethink his decision. A few days later, he flipped his pledge to join the Buckeyes.

That commitment was short-lived. Bey reverted course back to Tennessee on signing day. Whether that choice was his to make remains unclear.

Legend Bey created social media drama.

He posted a message on X soon after his paperwork was processed by the Vols. That note hinted at a possible hostage situation.

Bey, or someone using his account, insinuated that Ohio State was his school of choice. He only signed with the Volunteers to appease family. There was even a rumor that his mother had forged his signature to ensure he’d attend Tennessee.

“It was a family decision,” Bey told On3’s Volquest Wednesday afternoon. “There was a lot going on. Still had that relationship with coach (Josh Heupel), and I just felt like coming back home.”

Tennessee refuted any hostage claims. The staff was in contact with Bey throughout his recruitment.

Still, unhappiness appeared to remain based on the prospect’s subsequent social media activity.

Bey has asked to be released from his NLI.

“They have requested their letter of release from Tennessee, and they are waiting on Tennessee to confirm this,” reported Rivals.

“Whether it was his mother or somebody else who forged his signature, Tennessee got a signature on NSD… It looks like (Bey) is going to get out of this.”

All signs point to Ohio State getting the flip.