Ohio State quarterback Lincoln Kienholz, a four-star recruit from South Dakota, has experienced an interesting journey since joining the Buckeyes in 2023. After committing late in the recruiting cycle, Kienholz became the first player from South Dakota to ever play for Ohio State. As a freshman, he appeared in three games, though his role was minimal. By his sophomore season, Kienholz was Ohio State’s fourth-string quarterback, behind Will Howard, Devin Brown, and Julian Sayin. His only game appearance that season was during a College Football Playoff win over Tennessee, where he ran out the clock.
Heading into his junior year, Kienholz finds himself in a much different position. Both Brown and Howard have left the program, and Kienholz is now the most experienced quarterback on the roster. As the only scholarship quarterback with two years of experience, he’s competing with freshman Sayin and five-star recruit Tavien St. Clair for the starting job in 2025. Although Sayin is seen as the likely favorite to start, Kienholz remains confident in his abilities. Ohio State quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler mentioned that the competition is still wide open, with discussions about the starting job far from decided. Coach Ryan Day typically doesn’t announce a starting quarterback until mid-August, so Kienholz’s competition may extend into the preseason camp.
Kienholz, now considered a veteran in the quarterback room, embraces the leadership role he’s taken on. Reflecting on his past experiences learning from older quarterbacks, he feels more confident and responsible for leading his peers. He mentions how, in previous years, he learned from quarterbacks who showed him how to lead and control the huddle, and now he is stepping up to do the same for his teammates.
The competition among the quarterbacks remains friendly, with the group supporting each other and seeking to improve collectively. Kienholz describes how they frequently ask each other questions and work together to elevate their performance on the field. His focus is on being the player his teammates can rely on when crucial moments arise, like making a play on 4th-and-2.
Kienholz has also made significant strides as a quarterback. He highlights his strengths, such as his athleticism, scrambling ability, and physical strength, having gained 27 pounds over the past year. He has worked hard to improve as a student of the game, refining his understanding of the offense and the small details that make a quarterback successful. His growth has been recognized by his position coach, Fessler, who praised Kienholz’s development in understanding the offense, improving his accuracy, and making better decisions with his throws. Fessler believes that Kienholz’s progress is the result of continuous hard work since his arrival in June of the previous year.
Despite some uncertainty about his future leading up to the Rose Bowl, Kienholz made the decision to stay at Ohio State. He had considered transferring if he didn’t see a clear path to playing time, but now, with a chance to be on the two-deep depth chart, he feels more secure in his place at Ohio State.
Kienholz acknowledges the pressure that comes with being the quarterback at a prestigious program like Ohio State. However, he views this pressure as a privilege, understanding that the spotlight on him comes with a unique opportunity.