Chase Herbstreit, son of ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit, made headlines earlier this month with his decision to commit to Michigan.
The three-star quarterback from St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati announced his commitment on Dec. 8.
The Class of 2025 prospect, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 185 pounds, had an impressive final high school season, tallying 26 touchdowns and leading his team to the regional final.
The news stirred strong reactions, especially given the Herbstreit family’s tremendously deep ties to Ohio State.
Herbie addressed the situation directly during an appearance on Barstool Sports’ Pardon My Take podcast, acknowledging the mixed reactions his family has faced.
“I haven’t seen a whole lot of reaction intentionally,” Herbstreit said of the blowback to his son’s controversial decision.
“I know that 80 percent of people are thrilled and 20 percent are jackasses. I just decided – it’s one thing to take shots at me, but if you take a shot at me, and you want to get into a fight, it’s not hard for me to do that.
“So I just try to ignore that stuff the best I can and stay focused on the positive.”
Herbstreit revealed that among his four children, Chase had been the most passionate Ohio State fan, often devastated by Buckeyes’ losses.
Despite this, Ohio State didn’t extend a scholarship offer to Chase.
“Ohio State didn’t really pursue him to the point of offering him a scholarship. They were close,” Herbie admitted.
Chase had expressed interest in Ohio State, Michigan, and Notre Dame, but it was Michigan that provided the scholarship and opportunity he was looking for.
For the Herbstreits, it was an easy decision.
Herbstreit explained that most recruits in Chase’s position would end up at a school in a conference like the MAC. So, it was a no-brainer for him to take Michigan, the defending national champions (for now), up on the program’s offer.
While proud of his son’s decision, Herbstreit admitted the dynamic is new for their family.
The transition hasn’t been without its challenges. Herbstreit recently attended Senior Day at Ohio State for another son, Zak, a tight end who has been sidelined by a heart condition.
Kirk admitted he was apprehensive about the reception he might receive from Ohio State’s coaching staff after Chase’s commitment to Michigan.
“I talked to Chip Kelly afterwards, I talked to Ryan Day afterwards. Nobody said anything (about my son’s commitment),” Herbie said. “It was just business mode. That’s good by me.”
Obviously the title of this story is a little sarcastic. After all, Ohio State didn’t even offer Chase a scholarship.
What better way to stick it to the Buckeyes than to commit to their hated rival? (Although Connor Stalions didn’t go running to Columbus when Michigan fired him, did he?)
All jokes aside, we know how valuable roster spots are so it’s not entirely shocking that Chase wasn’t offered by Ohio State. Having said that, it will be awfully strange seeing him wear the Maize and Blue in Ann Arbor.
What are your thoughts on the wild situation and Herbie’s response to it all???
