Herbstreit familiar with Zwick’s plight
[FONT=verdana, Times New Roman, Times, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]By CHRIS EASTERLING
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There has not been a storybook feel to former Massillon Tiger Justin Zwick’s career as a quarterback at Ohio State. And few people can relate to how Zwick is feeling like former Buckeye quarterback and current ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit.
“I know he had great goals of starting for three or four years,” Herbstreit said Wednesday at a preview event for this fall’s Kirk Herbstreit Ohio vs. USA Challenge at The Golf Club at Yankee Trace in Centerville. “Coming out of a program with such great tradition (like Massillon), I’m sure he probably thought this was going to be a great opportunity for him. When you have a following and a fan base like that, it only adds to it.
“I can relate to him. In fact, I’ve talked to him about that. When I came out of Centerville, I faced a lot of the same obstacles.”
Zwick has gone from starting the first six games of his redshirt sophomore season in 2003 to battling for the backup role as the Buckeyes prepare for the 2006 campaign, which will be his senior season. In the interim, the former Tiger has watched as injuries and the emergence of fellow senior Troy Smith has derailed the optimism which surrounded his arrival in 2002.
That’s where Herbstreit, who still resides in Columbus despite his ESPN responsibilities, has tried to step in and offer some guidance.
“My advice to him has been to,” Herbstreit said, “instead of becoming bitter about the situation, try to embrace the situation and make the most of it, because as a 22-year-old, you probably don’t see the big picture. What I’ve tried to share with him is, after surviving that, here I am with a life after football.
“There’s a lot to be learned there about perserverance and continuing to work hard and not give up. I really think you’re going to see a pretty positive kid. It takes a special person to be positive through all that negativity. I think he’s going to be pretty positive this year.”
In 17 games played as a Buckeye, Zwick has completed 144-of-253 passes for 1,592 yards, with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has had momentous highs, such has a 318-yard, three-touchdown showing against Marshall in 2004, but also devastating lows like 73- and 74-yard passing games against North Carolina State and Iowa, respectively, in that same season.
That roller-coaster of highs and lows was contrary to what Ohio State and Tiger fans expected.
“Anytime you’re a quarterback of that stature and you’re coming out of a program like that,” Herbstreit said, “with the media, the Internet, the recruiting guides, when you get that kind of hype, there’s a lot of pressure.
I’m not saying he didn’t live up to it. He’s still in my mind a very effective quarterback. You think about what he did in the Oklahoma State game, the opportunities they had last year if Ryan Hamby catches that pass (in the end zone against Texas).”
Which is why Herbstreit hasn’t given up on Zwick holding an important role with the Buckeyes in his final season in Columbus.
“I think you’ll see him right in the mix this year with adjustments,” Herbstreit said. “That’s the thing he tried to do last year. When Troy would come over to the sidelines, he was right there to help. That sends a message to the fans that Justin is in there emotionally and is not just mailing it in. He’s actually out there participating and is as involved as much as possible.”
And, considering the fact Smith has yet to play a full season either, Herbstreit doesn’t quite think No. 12 has taken his final meaningful snap in a Buckeye uniform.
“The type of system that Ohio State runs, he can’t be concered about what could have been,” Herbstreit said. “He needs to be worried about being ready if Troy gets hurt or if Troy isn’t performing, that he’s the guy coach (Jim) Tressel wants to put in and not one of the young guys.
“There’s a natural feeling that, ‘Well, Troy’s a senior and Justin’s a senior, these young kids, let’s try to get them some reps.’ He has to be careful and make sure he’s locked in and having good preparation, because he’ll become the guy if Troy does get hurt.”
