Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Lincoln Kienholz wasn't named the starter for the 2025 season, but he still did his job. On Monday afternoon, Julian Sayin was given that distinction by head coach Ryan Day, offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, and QB coach Billy Fessler.
As Cleveland.com's Stephen Means explained, Kienholz was recruited to give competition to Sayin, since he was always designed to be a long-term play in the Joe Burrow vein; exactly what he did in the end.
Means added that Kienholz is just as QB1-worthy as Sayin, calling the "Lincoln Kienholz project" a success.
"It is not shocking that Sayin is the guy up next as the starting quarterback. But neither is the job Kienholz did in making sure that a five-star from California actually had to earn the right to be the job. Don’t get it twisted, Kienholz has proven he’s equally as qualified to lead this offense," Means wrote.
"Sure, Sayin’s arm talent was the separator that might be the reason he’s among the nation’s best quarterbacks by the end of this season. But Kienholz has his special traits, too. You don’t earn the title of 'Iron Buckeye,' have an entire program raving about your athleticism or how strong a leader you are if you aren’t special.
"The Lincoln Kienholz Plan is a glowing success, even if a sudden change in personnel made possible by a retirement kept him from fully maximizing that success. It’s created a blueprint that OSU is again trying to apply in the 2026 recruiting class with four-star quarterback Luke Fahey."
Sayin is too talented to ride the pine for a second straight year. That's the kind of thing that loses you a recruit at that level before the season even starts. No amount of NIL can suppress his level of competitiveness.
Kienholz is learning from greatness, though, and may just be two years away from getting a chance. Or, he'll never get a chance and use his experience in OSU's locker room to succeed elsewhere at a smaller program.
Who knows? Maybe Kienholz has a future GA role, and more, in his future as long as Day is around.
Either way, Kienholz is not one to worry about. He'll be just fine as the emergency stand-in for the defending champions.