Oops! As if Kirk Herbstreit was already not in a hot seat! Yes, the ESPN College GameDay host had found himself on the target list of the Ohio State Buckeyes fans. The reason? Calling the Buckeyes fandom a “lunatic fringe.” But somewhere, the fans know that there is no other supporter of their HC Ryan Day and their program as big as Herbstreit. So, fans might have already envisioned his son, Chase, in the scarlet and gray colors. Sadly, that’s not happening anymore.

Remember how Herbstreit did not inch back before taking a stand for Day when the college football world doubted the HC? Yes, the College GameDay host did not think twice before locking horns online with analysts Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith. That’s how he proved his loyalty to the Buckeyes. After all, let us not forget that Herbstreit was a quarterback for them from 1989-93 So, it was obvious that his son would chase his path.

He had two sons attend Clemson as walk-ons and one later as an Ohio State walk-on. In that way, the ESPN host tried to keep his legacy alive in Columbus. But looks like his loyalty is now under some serious question. The reason?

On December 8, his youngest son Chase committed to Ohio State’s archrivals, the Michigan Wolverines, as a quarterback in the 2025 class. That’s when the CFB world did not miss a chance to pounce upon Herbstreit. ‘Ohio’s Tate’ posted a tweet quoting the analyst’s quote from Ohio State’s big day, “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.” Below the quote, it read, “2 weeks later,” followed by a picture of Chase with his parents, all three in maize and blue.

Yeah, right before the national championship game against Notre Dame, this ESPN analyst went full fanboy, totally clueless that he would get questioned about it later. He had stated: “I’m an Ohio State junkie. And so when they do well, and I’m able to enjoy it, there’s nobody more thrilled than me. So yeah, I’ll be locked in, and if that scarlet gray confetti comes down, I’m gonna be trying to race to get to the field to hug my son [Zak] and be a part of that celebration if they’re lucky enough to win,” he had said.

But being the Buckeyes’ biggest fan, did Kirk Herbstreit keep his support for Chase’s new journey in Ann Arbor private? Not at all! On February 3, he shared his son’s post where the quarterback posted pictures of himself in the Wolverines jersey and wrote, “Let me be me – Cody Maverick.” The proud father reposted with the caption, “Proud of ya Chase Time to go to work!! Go get it!”

But can Herbstreit be blamed? After all, the father stood up for his son’s choice.

Here are some mixed emotions for Kirk Herbstreit

According to 247Sports, Chase was a three-star prospect and was eyeing other programs like Ohio State and Notre Dame. But at last, the deal with the Wolverines was sealed. This must have been tough for Kirk Herbstreit. After all, it’s an incredible feeling seeing your son have the chance to play for a college football blue blood. On the other hand, being a Buckeye, the maize and blue color must be disturbing.

But here’s the twist. His son actually wanted to initially join OSU. However, Day and his team did not pursue Chase.

The ESPN analyst confessed, “Out of all my sons, Chase is the biggest Ohio State junkie. Cry when they lose, kind of kid. But Michigan gave him an opportunity. There are so many kids in Ohio that grow up that way, where they love Ohio State, they dream of playing for Ohio State but the opportunity is not there.”

The younger Herbstreit threw for 1,609 yards and 18 touchdowns to five interceptions this season as St. Xavier’s starting quarterback will be on scholarship at Ann Arbor.

The father further revealed, “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.” The ESPN host added, “It’s very different for our family because behind the scenes it’s scarlet and grey our entire lives.”

So is the Herbstreit legacy over at Ohio State? No. Buckeyes fans can still wait for his other son, Montgomery Bell Academy tight end Zak Herbstreit.