Tight end Max Ziebarth has caught a career-high 10 passes this season and has stepped into more of a leadership role as the oldest player in the tight end group. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Barry Bottino
Illinois State tight end Max Ziebarth has been part of the Redbird football program for five years.
His connection to ISU football, however, goes back even further in his family. Ziebarth’s father, Andy, was a decorated offensive lineman in the 1990s.
Some of Max Ziebarth’s earliest football heroes wore red and white.
“I remember in 2014 when they went to the (national championship game),” said Ziebarth, a Normal West High School graduate. “I remember all those guys – (quarterback) Tre Roberson, (running back) Marshaun Coprich, (tight end) James O’Shaughnessy. I can remember watching that championship game with my parents at a restaurant. I have good memories of those guys.”
Thanks to his parents, Ziebarth was wearing Redbird gear as long as he can remember, as well.
“They used to have garage sales where they sold the old ISU equipment,” he said. “My parents would take me there. We’d buy old jerseys and I’d wear those.”
Learn all about Ziebarth’s hobbies, favorite local restaurant and biggest growth as a player in our weekly Moving the Chains Q&A feature.
You played at a successful high school, Normal West, near the ISU campus. What similarities did you experience playing in both programs?
The biggest thing is the bond that the players have. Both programs do a lot of things in the summer together, and they spend a lot of time together. That really brings us all together before the season, so we play more connected and have trust in one another.
How do you describe your role on the team?
It’s definitely changed this year. I’ve gotten more involved and had to step up more as a leader, being the oldest guy in the room now. But it’s been fun. I’ve learned a lot from my first four years just watching the older guys.
Now finally being in their shoes, I’m doing my best to help out the younger guys.
Blocking is an important part of your job. How have your blocking skills changed over the years?
It’s completely different. It’s down to a science here. This offense emphasizes it a lot. It requires a lot of knowing what to do and how to do it at a high level, which is fun.
At the college level, you can’t get away with poor technique. With the size (of defenders) in the Missouri Valley, you have to have the right footwork and have the right angles if you want to be successful.
Over your career, you have 13 receptions, including 10 this season. What’s your most memorable catch?
Probably the first game of this year (against NAIA St. Francis). That touchdown (a 6-yard catch from Gage Roy) was pretty fun. I was going through a little adversity with an ankle injury at the beginning of the year. I didn’t know if I’d be able to play, so it was exciting to get in there.
You were an all-conference basketball player in high school. If you had to start an intramural team of ISU football players, who would be in your starting five?
Point guard, I’ll go with Duke (cornerback Doreon Dubose). Shooting guard, I’ll go with (wide receiver) Ethan Loss. I feel like he can sit in the corner and hit a few shots. I’ll put myself at small forward.
Power forward, I’m going Dexter Niekamp for a little Normal West connection. At center, who’s going to hold it down? I’ll go with (fellow tight end) Nick True for some athleticism.
(Tight ends coach C.J. Irvin) would have to coach, for sure.
Do you play much basketball anymore?
In the summer, I try to play a little. But because of some ankle injuries, I try to stay away from it.
Among your defensive teammates, who’s the biggest hitter in practice?
If it’s 9-on-7 and I’m pulling for a counter play, if you see (linebacker) Tye Niekamp, you’re going to have to lower your shoulder there.
Your father, Andy, was a three-time all-conference offensive lineman at Illinois State in the 1990s. What’s your earliest memory of Illinois State football?
As long as I can remember, he took me to all the kids’ camps and stuff like that. I remember when I was on a recruiting visit, I showed (head coach Brock Spack) a picture of us together in his office. I was only 8 or so. That was full circle for him.
Has playing at ISU been a full-circle memory for you and your family?
When my dad was playing, his parents went tailgating with all their friends. Now my parents are doing the same thing. That’s pretty cool.
Being your fifth year, have you had any moments of realizing things that will be happening for the last time in your career?
Oh yeah. I’m enjoying the last few games of the regular season. It’s been a fun ride. It’s been exciting.
What have you appreciated most about your time at ISU?
Definitely the players. I’ve met some of my best friends here. I came here as a kid, and now I’m going to walk out a man. I’ve learned a lot.
What excites you about your post-football career in the real world?
I’m a marketing major. My cousins live in Nashville, so the plan is to move down there with them and work in medical device sales. My cousins say it’s the best place to live when you’re in your 20s. There’s a lot to do and it’s not too far from home.
If you’re having a bad day and you walk into the locker room, who’s someone who can quickly cheer you up?
Definitely (safety) Rylan Crawford. We’ve been through it together, so I can always go to him. Definitely all the tight ends, too. We’re all pretty close.
Who do you consider your best dressed and worst dressed teammate?
Best dressed is probably Nick True. He’s got the good stuff. Worst dressed … probably (offensive lineman) Landon Woodard.
Beckham Pellant is the most recent QB you’ve caught passes from at ISU. Who was the first?
It probably would’ve been Tommy (Rittenhouse), when I was a freshman and he was a sophomore. I caught Tommy’s first passing touchdown (in 2023 against Lindenwood). I’ve play with 11 or 12 different quarterbacks.
After a road game, what’s your favorite postgame meal before you head home?
I’d go with Raising Canes. We got that after we played at Southeastern Louisiana (in the 2025 playoffs). That was pretty good.
You have teammates from all over the country. As someone from McLean County, what local landmarks would you show someone from out of town first?
I’ve definitely gotta take them to Ziebarth Road (north of Normal). We’ve got a road named after us. Our family farm is on the north side of town. (Naming the road) was between a couple of families and they decided on us. It’s been Ziebarth Road for a while.
Do you have a favorite local restaurant?
It’s about 20 minutes away in Lexington, Illinois. It’s called Kemp’s Upper Tap. The owner is a friend of ours. That’s a place I would recommend.
Football has taken you to a lot of different places. Is there somewhere in the U.S. you’d like to visit that you haven’t been to yet?
I’d like to go out to Montana and the Yellowstone National Park area. I don’t do a lot of hunting, but I like to be outside.
What are some of your hobbies?
I try to golf as much I can. I like movie theaters, and me and Rylan like to play FIFA (soccer video game). We play together and we win most of the time.
Who are some unsung heroes in the Illinois State football program?
Ryan Swenson (assistant athletic director/athletic performance), the equipment guys, all the trainers, like Jocelyn (Hurtado) and Kyle (Bowles). They do amazing things every day. They’re always here. They’re all great. They’re all close to us and they help us out.
You’ve been around Coach Irvin a long time. Do you have a favorite saying of his?
There’s a few I can’t even say. (Laughs) Anytime he’s with Hawk (safeties coach Cody Deti), it’s a comedy show, for sure. They play off of each other pretty well.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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