Ohio State redshirt sophomore quarterback Lincoln Kienholz is set to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal after three seasons with the Buckeyes, as confirmed by his family to On3’s Pete Nakos. Kienholz’s decision comes after a challenging stint at Ohio State, where he found himself behind starters Kyle McCord, Will Howard, and Julian Sayin in the depth chart.
Kienholz originally joined the Buckeyes as a late addition to their 2023 recruiting class, having switched his commitment from Washington just a week before National Signing Day in December. During his time at Ohio State, he participated in 12 games, completing 21 of 36 passes for a total of 250 yards and a single touchdown. His most notable performance occurred in the 2023 Cotton Bowl, where, filling in for McCord and the injured Devin Brown, he went 6 for 17 for 86 yards.
Over the course of the season, Kienholz served primarily as a backup, taking the field in seven games this year alongside Sayin. The native of Pierre, South Dakota, will have two years of eligibility remaining following a redshirt in 2024.
In high school, Kienholz was highly regarded, ranked as the nation’s No. 205 overall recruit and the No. 15 quarterback by Rivals’ Industry Ranking. He was recognized for his impressive athleticism, excelling in multiple sports as a two-time state champion quarterback, as well as an all-state performer in basketball and baseball. His high school stats were particularly notable, as he threw for 3,359 yards and 37 touchdowns against just six interceptions, while also rushing for 1,165 yards and an additional 12 scores during his junior year.
With Kienholz’s departure, Ohio State will look to build on their quarterback roster, which includes both Sayin and five-star freshman Tavien St. Clair, as well as the recent signing of three-star quarterback Luke Fahey from Mission Viejo, California, as part of their 2026 class. Kienholz’s move to the transfer portal opens new opportunities for him and highlights the ongoing evolution of the team’s roster as they prepare for future challenges. As he embarks on this next chapter, there remains optimism for his potential impact in a new program.