Renowned ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit finds himself at the center of a new controversy, this time not for his commentary on the sport, but for his alleged involvement in a high-stakes recruitment decision.
The latest saga involves five-star quarterback recruit Dylan Raiola’s surprising flip from Georgia to Nebraska, with Raiola’s father implicating Herbstreit in the decision-making process.
Dominic Raiola, father of the highly-touted recruit, revealed that Herbstreit reached out to him as rumors swirled about Dylan considering Nebraska.
“When he saw the smoke about Dylan entertaining Nebraska, he called me,” Raiola recounted. “He said ‘Dude, is this true? He’s gotta do it.'”
Kirk Herbstreit 🤝 Dylan Raiola flipping to Nebraska@NebraskaRivals | @adamgorney pic.twitter.com/IFE7m6F4mi
— Rivals (@Rivals) February 7, 2024
These remarks suggest that Herbstreit may have actively encouraged Dylan Raiola to choose Nebraska over Georgia, citing his belief in Matt Rhule’s coaching abilities.
Raiola’s father further emphasized Herbstreit’s affinity for Nebraska and his endorsement of Rhule as factors that influenced their decision-making process.
🚨 WOW: Kirk Herbstreit was allegedly TAMPERING with a star recruit to convince him to go to Nebraska…
The father of 5🌟 QB Dylan Raiola revealed that the ESPN Analyst called his son, & Kirk specifically advocated for Dylan to commit to the Huskers…
🎙️ | Father: "I'll bring… pic.twitter.com/Kk1KiVoeh2
— Blue Bloods Bias (@bluebloodsbias) February 8, 2024
Responding to the allegations, Herbstreit defended his actions during an appearance on “The Paul Finebaum Show.”
He clarified that he did not disparage Georgia but simply expressed his admiration for Rhule and the Nebraska program.
“My question to you or anybody is…if somebody calls and says ‘What do you think about Matt Rhule?’ and you like Matt Rhule, are you supposed to say ‘Matt Rhule is a bad guy, Matt Rhule is an idiot, Matt Rhule is a bad coach?'” Herbstreit said. “Or do you say, ‘I like Matt Rhule. Matt Rhule is a good coach’?”
I believe Herbstreit here. I think Dylan Raiola’s Dad wanted him to go to Nebraska so much that it’s almost a guarantee he embellished what Kirk actually told him to not only us but also to Dylan. It’s all good though, time to move on! Go Dawgs! pic.twitter.com/87Noy710fi
— Lance (@SportsGuyLance) February 9, 2024
“I of course did not sell Nebraska and try to tell anybody not to go to Georgia. That’s the most ridiculous thing anybody would do,” Herbstreit said.
“But I did complement Matt Rhule. If I’m guilty of anything, I said that Matt Rhule is a good coach and a good man and I believe that he will bring Nebraska back the way he did Temple and Baylor.”
“if I'm guilty of anything, I said that Matt Rhule is a good coach, and he's a good man, and I believe he will bring Nebraska back” -Kirk Herbstreit on the Dylan Raiola drama #GBR
📸 @Outkick pic.twitter.com/MuUwCfJx7R
— 247Huskers (@247Huskers) February 9, 2024
While Herbstreit’s intentions may have been pure and innocent, critics argue that his actions could set a troubling precedent, blurring the lines between impartial analysis and undue influence in the recruitment process.
To recap…
-ESPN fired David Pollack after he called UGA cfb’s new standard
-Pat McAfee told UGA fans they can “go to hell” live on ESPN in December
-The same week, Kirk Herbstreit called 5* QB Dylan Raiola’s dad and told him to flip from UGA
-ESPN hires Nick Saban in February…— Graham Coffey (@GrahamCoffeyDC) February 8, 2024
Dylan Raiola’s decision to commit to Nebraska adds another layer to this unfolding narrative.
Despite his initial commitment to Georgia, Raiola’s eventual choice to follow in his father’s footsteps at Nebraska underscores the complex interplay of factors at play in college football recruiting.
Is it just me or is Kirk Herbstreit's silence on the Raiola deal a little telling? He's usually one to want to have the "last word" on Twitter, but he's said nothing so far (and there's been plenty to respond to).
— Jeff Clark (@RealJeffClark) February 8, 2024
As Matt Rhule’s Cornhuskers gear up for the upcoming season with a promising recruiting class, the controversy surrounding Kirk Herbstreit’s alleged role in Dylan Raiola’s recruitment serves as a reminder of the enduring influence of media personalities in the world of college football.
OUT OF 40,000 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYERS KIRT HERBSTREIT JUST HAPPENS TO CALL RAIOLA'S DAD! AS I REMEMBER KIRT CALLED HIS DAD&THE CONVERSATION HAD NOTHING AS I HEARD IT TO DO WITH RAIOLA & GA DAWGS. KIRT S TALK WAS ABOUT RAOLA PLAYING FOR NEBRASKA ETC. I HEARD NOTHING ABOUT DAWGS!
— Chuck suchman (@ChuckSuchman) February 22, 2024
Having said that, Herbstreit has virtually a spotless reputation. It’s hard to picture him having any nasty intentions. He deserves to be taken at his word.
Also, even though it took a while, there were plenty of people who thought Nebraska was where Raiola was always going to end up…
THIS, my reaction to the news that Kirk Herbstreit talked Dylan Raiola into his college choice.
This also, to all the Nebraska fans that think we genuinely give a rip that he chose them.
What we do care about is Kirk “crossing the line” as an ESPN employee, and how it makes… pic.twitter.com/aEUbvIiKNd
— Billy Wood (@1baptistpastor) February 8, 2024
What are your thoughts on the situation?
Was Herbie out of line? … Or was Raiola’s father more at fault for even mentioning the conversation?
Either way, what do you think of Raiola as a quarterback? … Will he live up to the hype?
Will Rhule bring the Cornhuskers back to the elite class of college football???