The blood coursing through Kirk Herbstreit’s veins is obviously scarlet. How can we forget that in his lone start against Michigan at “The Game” in 1992, the Ohio State alum pulled off his career-best performance at that point, completing 28 passes for 271 yards? That also stood as a program record until 2006 when eventual Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith completed 29 passes. Not only that, his father, Jim, captained the Buckeyes in 1960. One of his 4 sons, Zak, was a part of the OSU team that just won the Natty. But all might look blemished as his youngest son, QB Chase, is going to trudge around Ann Arbor wearing Michigan maize and blue. 

Labeling this a cardinal sin wouldn’t be hyperbolic. But the fact is, Chase didn’t have too many options. In a twistedly ironic way, Michigan was his only offer coming out of high school. To pursue his dream this was, by and large, the only route. With him due to enroll in June, this route appeared extremely treacherous.

The Wolverines have just onboarded Bryce Underwood, who’s the No. 1 QB in their shared draft class. Underwood is unequivocally the future of the program. Which, by extension, really hinders Chase’s opportunities. However, there seems to be a glimmer of light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. At least 4 QBs are deemed to be ahead in the depth chart. However, that QB room—which is already in a state of flux after wholesale changes- is going through some trouble ahead of his arrival.

Transfer quarterback Mikey Keene, who was expected to be the starter in 2025, is nursing an injury. So is 2024 starter Davis Warren. The aforementioned Bryce Underwood and Jaydn Davis have actually been the only fit quarterbacks at UMich through spring camp. This means Chase Herbstreit’s demand and stock have shot up a little bit. With this in the pipeline, Chase’s QB coach, Brad Maendler, spoke to On3 about his development and where he stands at this juncture. To Kirk’s relief, his words might assure that Chase was ready to shoulder the responsibility coming his way. 

Speaking with Michigan fan/insider EJ Holland, Brad Maendler spoke glowingly about how far Chase Herbstreit has come. “[Chase] has great instincts and a great football IQ. He’s uber-competitive… one of the most driven kids I’ve met in the 18 years doing quarterback training. The intangibles are off the charts,” remarked Maendler. Coming from a clan with such a long, storied history in the game, this is palpable. Some of Jim and Kirk Herbstreit’s qualities had to have permeated through. Maendler also spoke about Chase’s skill as a passer out of the backfield.

“[Chase Herbstreit] throws a really good ball…A lot of spin and a lot of accuracy. He really has great vision and has that anticipation that you want. I’m really pleased where things are headed there,” said Brad Maendler. Perhaps the most telling update pertained to Chase’s physical progress.

At 6’2 and 190 lb, there’s room for maneuvering. It appears he’s adding more muscle to contend with the hits that are coming his way on the collegiate level. “He’s always looked perpetually boyish to me. He’s a late bloomer. He doesn’t look like that anymore. He’s lost that boyish look. He looks like a man now. His body is responding well to the weight room. I think all the Herbstreit boys were late bloomers at some level. I’m impressed with how he looks physically,” said Maendler. Talking about late bloomers, Maendler’s words can not be truer if we look at Kirk’s career.

Kirk played for the Buckeyes from 1989-93. But during his first three seasons, he was mostly backing up starters Greg Frey and Kent Graham. It was only in his senior season in 1992-93 that he won his starting job and was named as the co-captain. He completed 155 of 264 passes (58.7%) for 1,904 yards with four touchdowns to six interceptions that season, as Ohio State lost to Florida in the Citrus Bowl. It remains to be seen if Chase’s career also follows the same trajectory. But how did the Herbstreit clan process this literally seismic move of their flagbearer?

Kirk Herbstreit embraces the “different” reality

Like a father, Kirk had all the support for Chase in his decision. Maybe because Michigan was Chase’s only offer and as Kirk revealed, Ohio was not very proactive to take his son in. “What an opportunity for him,” Kirk said of his youngest son. “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 an Ohio State junkie. Ohio State did not really pursue him to the point of offering him a scholarship,” Kirk had said in December 2024.

According to him, Ohio State has informed him that their hands were bound by the new NCAA regulations. The NCAA’s recent settlement agreement eliminated the walk-on concept entirely, which is why the programs are compelled to take difficult calls on offering scholarships. So, many of them, including Ohio State, Michigan and Notre Dame, who were known to be in the mix of recruiting Chase, had to lean on experienced players and the transfer portal instead of budding talents. But Kirk said, Michigan recognized Chase’s fire.

“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 said. “It’s very different for our family because behind the scenes it’s scarlet and grey our entire lives,” he further added, coming clean about their Ohio State ties. But despite all that, a hiccup was always there; after all, it is Michigan. And Kirk did not hide that.

Kirk revealed that after Chase announced his commitment, he had to go his other son’s senior day at the Ohio State, and he was understandably hesitant. “I went in there really nervous wondering how the Ohio State coaches [would react], because none of them texted me ‘Hey, congratulations on Chase.’ I didn’t hear anything from anybody. So I was a little bit should I go? Should I not go?” Kirk had said. Well, as things unfolded, it looks like the Herbstreit family will have to live with this feeling in the upcoming few years. Kirk Herbstreit calling The Game from the booth while his own blood rocks that maize and blue remains a possibility!