Ohio State has already seen two quarterbacks hit the transfer portal this winter.
Devin Brown has declared his intentions to transfer, though he’ll remain with Ohio State through the College Football Playoff, while Air Noland has already transferred to South Carolina.
Yet, another Ohio State signal-caller will soon have to weigh his options. Sophomore quarterback Lincoln Kienholz told Eleven Warriors Monday he’s undecided whether he’ll be back or not for the 2025 season. If he stays, Kienholz would likely compete with Julian Sayin and incoming five-star freshman quarterback Tavien St. Clair for the starting job next year.
“I haven’t (decided) yet, we’ll see,” Kienholz said during Ohio State’s Rose Bowl media day. “But I love Ohio State, and I would love to stay here.”
The 6-foot-3, 207-pound quarterback who will have three years of eligibility remaining following this season said he hasn’t put a lot of thought into whether he’ll transfer or not, but he does have an estimate on what will be the deciding factor for him. Whenever Ohio State's season ends, he'll have a five-day window to make a decision.
“I haven’t thought too much about it because I’m so locked in on this season and this team,” Kienholz said. “But the goal is to either start or be a backup at the position so I’m ready to go. 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 appeared in two games this season, appearing on the final drive of Ohio State’s 56-0 win over Western Michigan and the 42-17 College Football Playoff victory over Tennessee. His most extended action in a Buckeyes uniform came last season when he was thrust into action in the Cotton Bowl following an injury to Brown. In his OSU career, Kienholz has completed 10 of 22 passes for 111 yards. He’s also the first player ever from South Dakota to see a single snap of game action in Ohio State history.
“It’s been a blast for me so far,” Kienholz said of his second season in the scarlet and gray. “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.”
Kienholz said he’s learned how to be a starter and the preparation habits from Howard and Kyle McCord a season ago, and added having another full season to focus primarily on football has turned him into a better quarterback considering he was a three-sport athlete in high school.
“I would probably say ball knowledge in general,” Kienholz said of what he’s improved the most on throughout the year. “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.”
Kienholz lauded Chip Kelly’s offense and thinks it’s a good fit for his skill set if he decides to stay with Ohio State.
“His offense is super unique. I think it fits me very well with what I do too,” Kienholz said. “He has an answer to everything and that’s what I like.”
