Ohio State’s Lincoln Kienholz has been towards the bottom of the quarterback depth chart in each of his first two seasons with the Scarlet and Gray, and that could remain the same next year if he decides to stay with talented freshman Julian Sayin and incoming five-star freshman Tavien St. Clair likely competing for the starting spot.
With Kienholz likely on the outside-looking-in at quarterback next season, he could very well transfer out after the Rose Bowl to find another opportunity to start, where he would become the third quarterback to enter the portal along with Devin Brown (still with team) and Air Noland (South Carolina).
When asked about his football future at Ohio State during the team’s Rose Bowl media day on Monday, Kienholz told Eleven Warriors that he has not made any decision and has fallen in love with the Buckeyes during his two years in Columbus.
“I haven’t (decided) yet, we’ll see,” Kienholz said. “But I love Ohio State, and I would love to stay here.”
Kienholz, who will have just a five-day window to make a decision once Ohio State’s season ends, said that while he is undecided he has thought about what he wants his football future to look like, one which has him vying for a starting job or serving as a backup for whatever school he ends up with.
“The goal is to either start or be a backup at the position so I’m ready to go.” he said. “It’s going to be a long season again, so there could always be something that happens and I have to step up. Beyond that, just playing and getting that field knowledge, too. That’ll help me move forward with what I want to do.”
Kienholz has not been in either of those positions so far in his Ohio State career. He has only appeared in five games across his two seasons with the Buckeyes, with his only significant game action being in the 2023 Cotton Bowl when he relieved the injured Devin Brown and completed six of his 17 passes for 86 yards and no touchdowns.
Despite this lack of playing time, Kienholz told Eleven Warriors that he has enjoyed his time with Ohio State and has taken his game to another level this season with Will Howard and Chip Kelly joining the quarterback room.
“It’s been a blast for me so far,” Kienholz said of his second season with the Buckeyes. “Just coming in and learning from Will Howard and Devin again. Just getting another year to take that in and help boost my career. With Coach Kelly coming in, he’s super smart, he’s seen things and he’s been around the game a ton.”
“Since I’ve gotten here from last year to now, I’ve understood the basics of football more and I think that’s something that will help me moving forward.
Regardless of where he ends up, Kienholz will have three years of collegiate eligibility left after this season.
Ohio State has just two quarterbacks on its roster for next year in Sayin and St. Clair, but they could look to add a veteran through the transfer portal similarly to last season when they nabbed Howard from Kansas State.
