Ohio State Football: Buckeyes who have had success, just not on Sundays
By Ian O’Brien
Many Ohio State football players have gone on to have outstanding careers in the NFL. However, some haven’t but one has had a great career covering college football.
Some Ohio State football fans, especially the younger generation, now know Kirk Herbstreit for being a broadcaster and as an anchor on College Gameday. He may be one of the best commentators, but as a quarterback things didn’t go exactly as planned.
Herbstreit did not see as much playing time as other Ohio State quarterbacks did in the past. During his first season he played in eight games but only had 48 yards passing. He would not get his first passing touchdown until the 1991 season.
Most old school Ohio State fans do remember Herbstreit for his option play against Minnesota though. That resulted in a 72-yard touchdown when he broke at least eight tackles.
Herbstreit would finish his senior season in disappointment. He did throw for nearly 2,000 yards but only had four touchdowns and six interceptions. His final career stats would be 2,437 yards, five touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
He did have a record with 28 pass completions in a tie against rival Michigan though. His final game, however, was a kick to the stomach as the Buckeyes lost to the Georgia Bulldogs in the Florida Citrus Bowl 21-14.
With his major still being in business, Herbstreit wanted to try something new but did not want to leave the game of football. He decided to go with radio, and later became one of the hosts of College Gameday and a color commentator.
Kirk Herbstreit didn’t go on to play in the NFL like some of his teammates but I think his football career turned out okay. Just check out the pregame on Saturday mornings and you will see that’s the case.
Now a look at an RB who showed promise early in his college career but didn’t make it to the NFL.