The Ohio State football program is busy prepping for the Cotton Bowl, as it has been for the past three weeks. It has been quite a while since the Buckeyes have played a game, with the last game being a loss to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Just as last year, the Ohio State Buckeyes will likely have to navigate the world of the Transfer Portal during a run in the College Football Playoff. Last season, some players left the team during the national championship run because they had to declare for the portal.
Backup Ohio State quarterback Lincoln Kienholz likely won't play much during the CFP run this season. He is a candidate to enter the Transfer Portal when it opens on January 2nd. He addressed that possibility while talking to the media on Monday.
Ohio State QB Lincoln Kienholz addresses the Transfer Portal
Kienholz was asked about the portal, and it sure sounds like he's going to declare his intent to enter it once it opens.
“I've definitely had conversations. I'm not 100% sure, but my goal is to go to the NFL, and in order to do that, you gotta play. So I've had conversations with Coach Day and also with Coach Fessler a little bit about it.”
Based on that answer, it certainly seems like Kienholz is going to be entering the portal very soon. He will likely be searching for a new home in search of playing time. Kienholz made it clear that he was looking for an opportunity to have some playing time in order to make the NFL.
Kienholz certainly won't be the starting quarterback next season, as Julian Sayin will be back. With his eligibility running out, he knows that he needs to find somewhere else to get snaps if he wants to realize his dreams, and he likely won't get that with the Buckeyes.
It would be surprising if Kienholz stayed with the program next season.