For decades, few voices have been more closely associated with college football than Kirk Herbstreit.
Whether it's on Saturday mornings during College GameDay, in the booth for the biggest games of the season, or even inside the popular EA Sports college football video game franchise, Herbstreit has become one of the most recognizable figures in the sport.
That's why many fans were surprised when reports emerged that Herbstreit will not appear in EA Sports College Football 27. According to a report shared by On3, the longtime broadcaster is no longer part of the game's commentary team, ending a connection that dates back to the original NCAA Football series and continued when the franchise returned in 2024.
Just days after that news made headlines, Herbstreit had a career announcement of his own.
Herbstreit Celebrates New Book Release
In a post shared on Instagram, Herbstreit announced the release of the paperback edition of his book "Out of the Pocket: Football, Fatherhood, and College GameDay Saturdays."
"Today is paperback release day for Out of the Pocket!" Herbstreit wrote. "I'm proud to share my story and the lessons I've learned through football, family and life."
The book originally gave readers a behind-the-scenes look at Herbstreit's journey from quarterback of the Ohio State Buckeyes to becoming one of the most influential voices in sports broadcasting.
A College Football Fixture
While longtime gamers will undoubtedly notice his absence from College Football 27, Herbstreit's place in the sport remains secure.
The 56-year-old has been a staple of ESPN's college football coverage since the mid-1990s and currently serves as a lead analyst on "College GameDay" while also calling marquee games for ESPN and ABC. He has also expanded his broadcasting career in recent years by joining Prime Video's NFL coverage alongside legendary play-by-play announcer Al Michaels.
Herbstreit is a five-time Sports Emmy Award winner and was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to the game.
Fans Still Have Plenty of Herbstreit Ahead
Although gamers won't hear Herbstreit's voice in the latest installment of EA Sports' college football franchise, fans will continue seeing him throughout the 2026 season.
From "College GameDay" to Saturday night broadcasts and NFL coverage, Herbstreit remains one of the defining voices of football. And with the paperback release of his book now available, he's adding another chapter to a career that continues to evolve long after his days as Ohio State's starting quarterback.
