As the Ohio State Buckeyes prepare for their upcoming College Football Playoff matchup against the Tennessee Volunteers on December 21, their focus should be squarely on the task at hand: securing a spot in the national championship. However, despite the excitement surrounding this important game, there are issues unfolding within the program that could have long-term implications for the team’s quarterback situation.
On the evening of December 8, it was reported that Devin Brown, one of the Buckeyes’ quarterbacks, has decided to transfer away from Ohio State after this season. Brown’s decision to leave the program marks another significant shift in the quarterback room for the Buckeyes, a position that has already been the subject of speculation for much of the season. However, while the loss of Brown may dominate the headlines, it may not be the only significant change in the quarterback ranks at Ohio State.
In fact, a second quarterback from the Buckeyes’ roster, Lincoln Kienholz, could also be considering entering the transfer portal in the coming weeks. This possibility has been gaining traction after reports surfaced suggesting that Kienholz, like Brown, may look for a new opportunity at a different school for the 2025 season. Ryan Stano of Scarlet & Game, a notable Ohio State football site, recently discussed the situation and speculated that Kienholz could be the next quarterback to leave the program. According to Stano, the 2024 season will likely result in a three-way battle for the starting quarterback position between two players who have never taken a meaningful snap for the Buckeyes, Julian Sayin and Tavien St. Clair. That leaves Kienholz in a precarious position, as he may find himself on the outside looking in.
The prospect of Kienholz leaving Ohio State makes sense in light of the current quarterback competition brewing for next season. The quarterback situation at Ohio State has been somewhat fluid in recent seasons, with numerous players vying for the starting role. With Brown now preparing to leave the program, and highly touted recruits Sayin and St. Clair expected to compete for the starting job in 2024, Kienholz may be left with little opportunity for significant playing time in the immediate future. His role within the team could be relegated to the back of the depth chart, making a transfer more appealing.
Kienholz’s limited playing time thus far is a major factor in this decision. In his career with the Buckeyes, Kienholz has appeared in only a handful of games, the most notable of which came in the Cotton Bowl following the 2022 season. In that game, Kienholz was called upon after Devin Brown suffered an injury. His performance in the game, however, was far from impressive. Many observers noted that Kienholz appeared overwhelmed by the moment, and his struggles raised questions about his readiness to take on a larger role within the program. The fact that Kienholz has only attempted 22 passes in his Ohio State career, completing 10 of them for 111 yards without a touchdown or an interception, only underscores his lack of meaningful on-field experience.
This lack of experience further complicates Kienholz’s situation. Ohio State is widely regarded as one of the top football programs in the country, and competition for playing time is fierce. With Sayin and St. Clair coming in as highly regarded recruits, it would be difficult for Kienholz to secure a spot in the rotation. His current standing on the depth chart makes it highly unlikely that he will see significant playing time in 2024, particularly when considering the talent and potential of the incoming quarterbacks. In such a scenario, it is easy to understand why Kienholz might be considering a transfer.
Kienholz’s situation also brings into focus the broader trend of quarterbacks transferring within the NCAA. With the advent of the transfer portal, many players—especially quarterbacks—have opted to move on from their original schools in search of a better opportunity elsewhere. For quarterbacks in particular, where playing time is crucial to development, transferring is often seen as a logical choice when it appears that their chances of playing are limited. The ability to immediately transfer without having to sit out a season has opened up new possibilities for players, and many have used this avenue to find more favorable situations. Kienholz, despite his limited playing time at Ohio State, could likely find a new home at a school where he would have a clearer path to the starting role.
At the same time, however, it is important to note that Kienholz has not yet officially made the decision to enter the transfer portal. As of now, it remains a situation to monitor, as Kienholz could still decide to stay at Ohio State and compete for playing time. But given the circumstances, his departure would not come as a surprise to many. The fact that he is not expected to be among the top three quarterbacks on the depth chart for next season suggests that he may feel his best option is to move on.
Looking ahead, the quarterback competition at Ohio State will be one of the biggest storylines of the 2024 season. With Sayin and St. Clair expected to battle for the starting role, the Buckeyes will likely face a year of uncertainty at the most important position on the field. Both Sayin and St. Clair are highly talented quarterbacks with impressive high school resumes, and their competition will shape the future of Ohio State’s offense. For Kienholz, however, the path to playing time appears to be a steep one, and it is easy to see why he might seek out a fresh start elsewhere.
Ohio State fans will no doubt be disappointed if Kienholz decides to leave, as the program has long been a place where highly rated quarterbacks have developed into stars. However, Kienholz’s departure would be a reflection of the ever-changing landscape of college football, where the transfer portal has made it easier than ever for players to find new opportunities. For Kienholz, the opportunity to compete for playing time at a new school could be a crucial step in his development as a player.
While Ohio State’s focus remains on the upcoming College Football Playoff game against Tennessee, the quarterback situation for the 2024 season is already starting to take shape. The departure of Devin Brown is a significant development, but it may not be the only change to the quarterback room in the near future. Lincoln Kienholz could very well decide to enter the transfer portal in search of a new opportunity for 2025, as the competition for playing time at Ohio State becomes more intense. As the transfer portal continues to play a major role in shaping the landscape of college football, Kienholz’s potential departure is just another example of how quickly things can change for players looking to make their mark in the sport. For Ohio State, the uncertainty surrounding their quarterback situation will continue to be a major storyline as they look to build a championship-contending team for the years to come.
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