When it comes to college football, few voices are more familiar—or more reliable—than Kirk Herbstreit’s. He was calling Saturday’s biggest games or doling out praise (and the occasional tough love) on ESPN’s College GameDay. However, Herbstreit was just another kid dreaming of glory in the Horseshoe before this.
Many fans must have this question looming: Where did Herbstreit play college football? Let’s go back to where it all began for the face of college football Saturdays.
Kirk Herbstreit’s College Football Career
Herbstreit played at The Ohio State University, and not for a flash, was a Buckeye from top to bottom from 1989 to 1992. A proud son of Centerville, Ohio, Herbstreit had football running through his veins. His father, Jim Herbstreit, was Ohio State’s co-captain in 1960. And he also went on to coach for the legendary Woody Hayes. It’s safe to say Herbstreit’s commitment to the scarlet and gray wasn’t a matter of choosing a top-notch football team; it was family business.
Herbstreit began buried on the depth chart, stomping behind a succession of other QBs. But good things come to those who wait. By his senior season in 1992, he was tapped as the team’s starting quarterback and co-captain, to pass for 1,904 yards and four touchdowns that year. The athlete led the Buckeyes to an 8-3-1 mark and a visit to the Florida Citrus Bowl.
Perhaps Herbstreit didn’t illuminate the scoreboard like a Heisman hopeful, but he learned how to deliver when it counted most. In a big rivalry against Michigan, he made 28 completions in one game, an Ohio State record. Though it was a 13-13 tie, Buckeye fans still recall it as a challenging, all-heart Herbstreit game.
In hindsight, Herbstreit once said, “When I would play in big games at Ohio State, if the Goodyear Blimp was there, you knew it was a big-time game against a big-time opponent.” That’s the sort of platform he wanted—and he made sure to make his mark.
By the time he finished college, Herbstreit had earned team MVP status and was voted Ohio State’s Most Inspirational Player. And he wasn’t merely adept with a football—he graduated with a business administration degree in 1993. Brilliant on and off the field? Typical Herbstreit.
From Quarterback to College Football’s Favorite Analyst
Instead of trading in his cleats for a non-sports-related career, Herbstreit didn’t stray too far from the game he loved. Rather than pursuing a pro career, he entered the broadcasting industry, and the rest is college football history. Herbstreit signed with ESPN during the mid-1990s and rose to become a breakout star on College GameDay with Lee Corso and Chris Fowler.
If you’ve ever listened in on a Saturday morning, you know Herbstreit’s not simply spouting cookie-cutter opinions. He provides genuine football IQ, insider information, and a lot of passion. He can break down a zone defense more effectively than most ex-players and still throw in playful jabs when necessary.
Even after traveling nationwide, Herbstreit’s heart has never strayed too far from Columbus. He once claimed, “I’m an Ohio State junkie.” And so when they perform well, and I get to enjoy it, there’s no one happier than me.”
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You can sense that pride in his voice every time the Buckeyes are mentioned on GameDay. But professionalism always takes precedence—Herbstreit is never afraid to call it like it is, even when his alma mater isn’t meeting expectations.
Off the microphone, Herbstreit has also been a force for good. He’s worked intensely on charity efforts, such as cancer research via projects like the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer. He even helped start the Herbstreit National Kickoff Classic. It was a high school football extravaganza that gave the next crop of football stars a chance at center stage.
Herbstreit’s career exemplifies how you don’t necessarily have to be an All-Star player to become a legend. At Ohio State, he exemplified what it means to be a leader, a loyalist, and a battler. Nowadays, whether he’s dissecting a vital third-and-long or pumping up the crowd in anticipation of a gigantic SEC clash, he remains committed to the sport that formed him.
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