Eric Boggs
The day after National Signing Day has brought both stability and volatility to Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class. While the Buckeyes secured most of their commitments, several high-profile situations have taken new turns—some favorable, some uncertain, and some outright chaotic. From last-minute flips to family drama to NIL-fueled hesitation, Ohio State finds itself balancing the celebration of new signees with the pursuit of top-end talent still in limbo.
Legend Bey’s Flip and the Turmoil Behind It
Perhaps the wildest story of the early signing period belongs to Legend Bey. The four-star athlete arrived at his North Forney (Texas) ceremony surrounded by Ohio State gear and insisted he was signing with the Buckeyes—even after Brian Hartline’s departure to USF. Hours later, paperwork showed he had signed with Tennessee instead.
What followed was even more unusual. In since-deleted tweets, Bey suggested he was being forced toward Tennessee by family pressure, stating he expected to be locked out of his social media accounts “because I won’t sign to the school him (his older brother) and my mother wants.” Another deleted post featured a graphic of Bey with Ryan Day and running backs coach Carlos Locklyn with the caption, “We Have Your Back.”
Multiple national recruiting writers reported that Tennessee may have received paperwork Bey himself didn’t intend to sign. Because Bey is only 17, a parent or guardian signature was required. He turns 18 on December 24 and may then request a release from Tennessee. According to 247Sports’ Mike Roach, Bey was “unhappy” with how things unfolded and will attempt to find a path back to Ohio State—one Tennessee reportedly “would not be opposed” to granting.
Should he eventually land in Columbus, Bey would become the Buckeyes’ 27th signee in the 2026 class and a versatile offensive weapon expected to contribute at running back and wide receiver.
Ohio State Lands Safety Kaden Gebhardt
Amid the drama, Ohio State scored a significant flip of its own. Three-star safety Kaden Gebhardt, originally committed to Clemson, signed with the Buckeyes on Wednesday. A standout from Olentangy High School, Gebhardt brings a physical, highly productive profile, recording an astounding 418 career tackles, 11 interceptions, and 17 pass breakups.
His decision was influenced by uncertainty around Clemson staff changes, making Ohio State’s stability—and proximity to home—decisive. Gebhardt becomes one of four safeties in the class and the 28th commitment overall, joining a healthy group of 11 in-state signees.
Jerquaden Guilford Reaffirms His Commitment
The departure of Hartline, the Buckeyes’ ace recruiter at wide receiver, understandably rattled some prospects. Indiana four-star receiver Jerquaden Guilford briefly paused his signing plans but reaffirmed his commitment Thursday, choosing to trust Ryan Day and the Buckeye development pipeline.
At 6-foot-3 with excellent burst and polished route running, Guilford gives Ohio State a high-ceiling pass catcher regardless of how the rest of the cycle plays out. His recommitment also provides crucial stability in the event OSU loses a bigger fish.
The Chris Henry Jr. Standstill
That “bigger fish” is five-star wideout Chris Henry Jr., one of the most coveted prospects in the nation and the centerpiece of Ohio State’s class since 2023. Henry had been expected to sign Wednesday, but he delayed his decision amid an avalanche of NIL offers—some from rival Big Ten programs.
Rumors have now escalated, with Rivals projecting Henry to flip to Oregon. Phil Knight’s NIL machine is pushing hard, and Hartline’s departure removed the strongest personal bond in Henry’s recruitment. Ohio State is still fighting to keep him, but the Buckeyes are bracing for the possibility that he may choose the Ducks.
If Henry leaves the class, it would be a significant blow to the overall ranking—already pacing to be the lowest of the Ryan Day era despite the program’s on-field success. Still, the Buckeyes remain hopeful that longtime relationships and program culture can win out over NIL pressure.
Where Ohio State Stands Now
The Buckeyes signed 26 players during the early period, flipped Gebhardt, retained Guilford, and continue to push for clarity on Bey and Henry Jr.—two elite talents whose recruitments remain unresolved. Ohio State’s class currently sits in the top five nationally, with room to rise if the Buckeyes can secure one or both of the holdouts.
As the dust settles, Ryan Day’s role remains critical. His leadership is what keeps Ohio State steady through coordinator turnover, NIL volatility, and last-minute chaos. Whether navigating a family dispute in Texas, re-closing on a spooked recruit in Indiana, or attempting to keep the nation’s top receiver home, Day’s steady presence continues to anchor the Buckeyes’ recruiting efforts.
The drama of Signing Day may not be over, but the Buckeyes remain firmly in the fight—strong where it counts, and still swinging for the biggest names left on the board.
