One of the most storied football programs in the area is hoping to return to state title contention in 2024.
St. Xavier is coming off a somewhat disappointing season. The Bombers went 7-5 overall and 1-2 in the Greater Catholic League (GCL), finishing third behind Moeller and Elder.
One thing about St. Xavier under head coach Steve Specht: when they have a disappointing season, their lack of success hasn’t lasted long. In Specht’s tenure with the Bombers, which started in 2003, he’s led the team to four state championships. In 2015, St. X went 7-5. In 2016, the Bombers won the state title. In 2018, the team was 5-6, and two years later won the state again.
The Bombers’ issue in 2023 wasn’t defense, the team led the GCL by a wide margin in points allowed with just 179. That’s no surprise. The offense left a bit to be desired though. St. X scored only about 19 points per game. Their season culminated in a frustrating 10-7 loss to Moeller in the playoffs.
Here are five players to watch as St. Xavier looks to return to the top of the GCL in 2024.
Chase Herbstreit, Quarterback
Herbstreit, the son of ESPN College Gameday analyst Kirk Herbstreit, is entering his senior year with plenty of experience under his belt. He stepped in at quarterback around the middle of his sophomore year and helped St. X to three wins in its last five games in 2022.
St. X will always be a run-first team, but the Bombers will be happy to have a veteran signal caller for 2024. If Herbstreit is able to take a step forward, there’s no limit to where his team could go this season.
“When your quarterback is returning, you just get that much of a head start on the season,” St. Xavier head coach Steve Specht said.
Ja’Kobe Clapper, Linebacker
“Ja’Kobe Clapper is as good as any player I’ve ever coached,” Specht said.
That’s pretty high praise from a man who has coached players at Clapper’s position including seven-time NFL All-Pro Luke Kuechly and NFLers Steven Daniels and Justin Hilliard.
According to 247Sports, Clapper is rated the 20th best linebacker in the class of 2025 and the 14th best player in Ohio. Going into his junior season, he’s already compiled 22 Division I offers from the likes of Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon and Tennessee.
Clapper was second in the GCL in tackles as a sophomore in 2023, compiling 90 across 12 games. He also chipped in 2.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss and an interception.
Clapper says that he’s enjoyed taking more of a leadership role on the defense this season as a junior. He said that even if the Bombers aren’t the fastest team in Ohio this year, they’re going to wow teams with their toughness, fundamentals and communication.
Gordy Sulfsted, defensive line
Sulfsted, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound defensive lineman, is rated the country’s 56th best defensive lineman and Ohio’s 16th best overall player in the class of 2025. He’ll head to South Bend to play for Notre Dame after this season. He chose the Irish over offers from UC, Harvard, Stanford and Washington.
He led St. Xavier with 3.5 sacks last season. That mark was good enough to tie him for third in the GCL. Sulfsted also chipped in 41 tackes and six tackles for loss. Ohio State recruited Sulfsted as a tight end, but he’s expected to play along the defensive line for the Irish. He might need to pack on some weight before he’s ready to get in the trenches at the next level.
“Our defense is going to be really tough this year,” Sulfsted said. “We have to replace some great players, but I’m really excited about the guys we’re going to ask to step up.”
Tucker Kattus, offensive tackle
Per 247Sports, Kattus is the 82nd best offensive tackle in the class of 2025 and the 46th best player in Ohio. He’s currently committed to Kentucky, and he picked the Wildcats over 21 other offers including Arkansas, UC, Michigan and Missouri.
Watching a St. Xavier practice, three things stick out about Kattus: size, athleticism and leadership. Listed at 6-foot-5, 285 pounds, Kattus appears to be the largest player on the field for St. X. Despite that, he consistently led the Bomber offensive line in wind sprints. He moves very smoothly, both going backward on passing plays and forward on rushes. He was constantly steering traffic and a few times loudly encouraged teammates to push harder and move faster.
Daniel Vollmer, athlete
Vollmer, a quarterback by trade, plays all over the field for the Bombers. He lined up at quarterback mostly on designed running plays last year, but he also lined up out wide, took handoffs and returned kicks. He finished fourth in the GCL with 765 rushing yards last season.
“Vollmer is just such an incredible athlete,” Specht said. “You can plug him just about anywhere and he’ll go make a play for you.”
With the ball in his hands, he’s great at finding holes and has the speed and agility to get through them. He’s not afraid to lower his shoulder and initiate contact as the ball carrier. He said he hopes to play a Deebo Samuel-type role this year, a major threat out of the backfield and out wide.
Vollmer is stuck behind Herbstreit for another year before he can start under center at St. X, but the potential is…
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