Sports

Tennessee Football Recruit Hints At Hostage Situation In Cryptic Post About Coerced Signature

#College Football
by
Legend Bey signs with Tennessee

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


The Tennessee football program secured the signature of four-star athlete Legend Bey on Thursday. It remains unclear if that decision was actually his to make.

Bey posted a cryptic message on X implying that his hand was forced by overbearing family members. His mother and brother are apparently holding his future hostage.

247 Sports rates Bey as the 7th-best player at his position. He played quarterback in high school. He is expected to remain on offense at the college level, potentially at running back or receiver.

Tennessee would present a great landing spot. Head coach Josh Heupel has constructed a high-powered offensive attack that’s led to great success in Knoxville.

Bey could be the next star! Does he want to be?

Legend Bey is a Vol… for now?

The prospect’s recruitment was dramatic in the final weeks. He took an official visit to Tennessee in June. He committed to the program two weeks later.

While that pledge appeared somewhat firm, he continued to keep his options open.

In November, he took a trip to Columbus. He liked what he saw at Ohio State. Ten days after his visit, he flipped his commitment to the Buckeyes.

Less than a month later, he reversed course, going back to the Vols on the opening day of the early signing period. Bey sent his paperwork to Heupel and Co. The next day, he posted a concerning note on X.

Does Bey want to play at Ohio State?

Reports quickly surfaced suggesting he preferred the Buckeyes. His mom, however, leaned towards Tennessee.

Mike Roach of 247 Sports echoed that sentiment on Thursday.

Legend Bey’s recruitment provided plenty of theater on National Signing Day. The Top247 athlete from Forney (Texas) North Forney entered Wednesday intending to sign with the Buckeyes, and was even decked out in Ohio State gear during the ceremony. Following weeks of inner turmoil inside Bey’s circle, his recruitment came to a conclusion just after lunchtime.

–247 Sports

Roach says Bey intended to sign with Ohio State on Wednesday. He wore Buckeyes gear to the ceremony. His mom threatened to “no-show” on his commitment celebration if he didn’t choose the Vols.

The situation reportedly got so tense that coaches stepped in to defuse. Ultimately, he signed with Tennessee.

His social media activity hinted at immediate regret.

Legend Bey is currently a part of the Tennessee football signing class. That might not have been his choice to make. It will be interesting to see if he sticks to that commitment, or if the Vols cut him loose to explore other options.