Kirk Herbstreit has confirmed suspicions about his son’s choice to play quarterback at Michigan instead of Ohio State. Ohio State fans have been increasingly frustrated with the ESPN analyst in recent years, as he has become more outspoken in his criticism of his alma mater. While he had previously been less direct, Herbstreit has not held back in voicing his issues with Ohio State’s fanbase, even calling them a “lunatic fringe,” which caused tension during the Buckeyes’ College Football Playoff run.
However, another point of contention came when his son, Chase Herbstreit, opted to join Michigan rather than Ohio State. Chase, a 3-star quarterback from Cincinnati, did not receive scholarship offers from top schools, including Ohio State and Michigan, although he visited Georgia, Alabama, Penn State, and Notre Dame. Ultimately, he chose to walk on at Michigan, where he was given a priority role.
While Kirk has been supportive of his son’s decision, he revealed that Chase had always been an Ohio State fan. According to Kirk, “Out of all my kids, he’s the guy that cried when they lost games. He’s an Ohio State junkie.” Despite this, Ohio State did not extend a scholarship offer, though they came close. Instead, Michigan’s coach Sherrone Moore and his staff recognized Chase’s competitive drive and gave him an opportunity.
“There’s no one who loves Ohio State more than me” – Kirk Herbstreit, as he cries on TV after the Buckeyes win a National Title
2 weeks later: pic.twitter.com/LwgfCpUGFa
— Ohio’s Tate (@BarstoolTate) February 3, 2025
Kirk mentioned that the situation is unique for their family, as their lives have been centered around Ohio State’s scarlet and gray. Even so, it’s hard to imagine Chase getting significant playing time at Michigan, especially with the arrival of top QB recruit Bryce Underwood.
Kirk also shared a surprising photo of himself in Michigan’s maize and blue, further fueling the story.
Chase Herbstreit, who moved from Nashville to Cincinnati in ninth grade, became the starting quarterback for St. Xavier midway through his sophomore year. Under his leadership, St. Xavier won its final two games and secured a playoff victory. Kirk has praised his son’s competitive nature, saying, “Whether it’s ping-pong, golf, or ‘1-on-1 hoops,’ he’s going to be the guy you don’t want to play against.” This competitive spirit, Kirk believes, is essential for a quarterback.
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