Where did your player read this? It sounds like serious cheese or misunderstanding of a rule.
If the prereqs did not need to be met then they would not be there. The ranger can ignore prereqs for certain feats because the rules specifically say so, but other than that the prereqs must always be met.
Certain classes gain feats as bonus feats while bypassing their pre-reqs. Anything other then this is not RAW. Still expecting some serious cheese here. :P
One of the homebrews I allow is that someone can "learn" a feat if they don't meet the prereqs, but not use it yet because they don't have the skills or knowledge to use it proficently.
I do it on a case by case basis, and strictly practiced based things, such as great cleve, just will not work that way.
Of course it's a dumb thing to do because the plaer doesn't get to do it yet.
One of the homebrews I allow is that someone can "learn" a feat if they don't meet the prereqs, but not use it yet because they don't have the skills or knowledge to use it proficently.
Same, though it's unwritten and I only allow one.
A player of mine is saying he read that you can legally take a feat without meeting pre-reqs.
That is not true. taking a feat without meeting the prerequisites is a misdemeanor at best, a felony at worst. Depending on the feat and the circumstances, you can do hard time!