How did Kirk Herbstreit's son Chase end up with Michigan football?
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Although he’s the son of a famous former Ohio State quarterback, Chase Herbstreit, is playing for the Buckeyes‘ archrival, Michigan.
A quarterback like his father, Kirk Herbstreit, Chase Herbstreit grew up in Cincinnati and became the starting quarterback at St. Xavier High School in the middle of his sophomore season. Ranked a three-star prospect and the 160th quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class, Chase Herbstreit most likely shocked Buckeyes fans when he committed to the Wolverines on Dec. 8, 2024.
Kirk Herbstreit started for the Buckeyes as a senior in 1992, throwing for 1,904 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions. He set a record for most pass completions by a Buckeye in a single game, doing so in his lone start against Michigan, a 13-13 tie.
The former Buckeye has become one of the most well-known color commentators in football; along with being an analyst on ESPN’s “College Gameday,” he is a broadcaster for ESPN college football games and sits alongside legendary broadcaster Al Michaels for NFL Thursday Night Football games on Prime.
Further up the family tree, Kirk’s father and Chase’s grandfather Jim Herbstreit was an Ohio State running back and defensive back as well as a captain for the 1960 Buckeyes. He was later an assistant coach for Woody Hayes.
Kirk Herbstreit’s three older sons were all walk-ons at their respective college football programs; Tye and Jake Herbstreit were both walk-ons at Clemson (Jake transferred to Ohio State), and Zak Herbstreit was a tight walk-on with the Buckeyes for four years, but never played.
How did Chase Herbstreit end up at Michigan football?
Though the son of a famous Ohio State football alum, Chase Herbstreit was never offered a scholarship from OSU, his dad revealed on the “Pardon My Take” podcast on Dec. 18.
“What an opportunity for him,” Kirk Herbstreit said. “You know that this is a kid that grew up a lifelong Ohio State fan. Of all my kids, like he’s the guy that cried when they lose games, like he’s the Ohio State junkie. Ohio State did not really pursue him to the point of offering him a scholarship.”
Michigan’s pursuit of Chase Herbstreit included a campus visit during which Kirk Herbstreit wore blue and a Michigan lanyard.
Michigan QB Chase Herbstriet on his official visit with his family, including father Kirk. The OSU alum wearing blue and supporting his son. I’ve heard a lot of awful stories from recruiting with parents, yeah the rivalry, but maybe just props for being a good dad. pic.twitter.com/s3mdL0yIha
— Trevor McCue (@trevormccue) February 3, 2025
At St. Xavier, Chase Herbstreit passed for 1,609 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing for 660 yards and eight touchdowns. Kirk Herbstreit said on “Pardon My Take” that his son wanted to play for a large school like Ohio State or Notre Dame, and ultimately, it was Michigan that offered a scholarship.
“Sherrone Moore and his staff believe, and I think they saw his competitive spirit and his fire and what he did on the field this year to give him an opportunity,” Kirk Herbstreit said. “It’s very different for our family because behind the scenes, it’s scarlet and grey our entire lives.”
Chase Herbstreit was one of two quarterbacks Michigan recruited in its 2025 class. The other is Michigan starting quarterback Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class.
Listed at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Chase Herbstreit has yet to appear in a game in college, making him eligible to redshirt.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: How OSU alum Kirk Herbstreit’s son Chase ended up at Michigan
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