Ohio State Tight End Zak Herbstreit Hospitalized, In Stable Condition

Ohio State tight end Zak Herbstreit was hospitalized on Tuesday at the Wexner Medical Center and is in stable condition after being admitted with an undisclosed health issue.

Herbstreit, a preferred walk-on with the football program who is entering his third season with the Buckeyes, is the son of former Ohio State quarterback Kirk Herbstreit. The elder Herbstreit released a statement later in the day on Twitter on behalf of his son thanking people for their concern, adding that his son has a “long journey ahead of him.”

“I have had a bit of a setback these past couple of weeks,” said Zak Herbstreit via Kirk Herbstreit’s statement. “Not feeling right. Culminated with tests results this past Friday that forced me into the hospital. I have some of the best cardiologists looking after me, and I am beyond appreciative. We are doing a number of tests and conjuring a plan to ensure that I will be able to be back to feeling normal again.

“I appreciate the overwhelming support over the past couple of days,” the note continued. “I am feeling good and hope to be out of the hospital soon.”

Herbstreit joined Ohio State ahead of the 2021 season out of Nashville (Tenn.) Montgomery Bell Academy and lost his black stripe during last year’s fall camp. His older brothers, Tye and Jake, have both played football, and his younger brother, Chase, is a 2025 quarterback out of Cincinnati St. Xavier.