COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football’s Lincoln Kienholz, the backup to quarterback Julian Sayin, is expected to enter the transfer portal when it opens Jan. 2, according to multiple reports.
Kienholz is in his third season with the program after signing as a four-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class.
Kienholz was viewed as a developmental project when he arrived in Columbus. He appeared in only three games as a true freshman, though he was unexpectedly thrust into an important role during Ohio State’s loss to Missouri in the 2023 Cotton Bowl.
With Kyle McCord in the transfer portal and Devin Brown suffering an injury against the Tigers, Kienholz was forced to play 40 snaps.
Things settled into place during the following offseason. Brown returned, but he was beat out by former Kansas State transfer Will Howard for the starting job.
Howard led the Buckeyes to a national title before exhausting his eligibility, and Brown transferred after the 2024 campaign, leaving a runway for Kienholz to challenge Sayin for the starting job this season.
Sayin, a former five-star prospect, prevailed and became a Heisman Trophy finalist while Kienholz served in a limited role as the backup.
Entering the 2026 season, Sayin is expected to be the starter once again while 2025 signee Tavien St. Clair will be the backup. The Buckeyes will also have Class of 2026 signee Luke Fahey on their roster.
