Ohio State football has always been synonymous with competition, discipline, and the pursuit of excellence, but the 2025 quarterback race between Lincoln Kienholz and Julian Sayin is quickly shaping up to be one of the most compelling positional battles in recent program history. With the season opener against Texas set for August 30, head coach Ryan Day has made it clear that he is in no rush to name his starter. Instead, he is taking the long view, carefully weighing each snap, drill, and leadership moment to ensure he makes the right decision for the Buckeyes’ national championship aspirations. This measured approach has allowed Kienholz, a redshirt sophomore, to showcase not only his skills but also the sheer determination that has defined his journey since arriving in Columbus.
For Kienholz, the 2025 offseason was more than just a period of preparation—it was a transformative chapter in his career. Entering the year with two seasons of development under his belt, he committed to elevating every aspect of his game. From day one, he attacked the weight room, nutrition program, and film sessions with a single-minded focus. The results have been visible and measurable: a 33-pound increase in muscle mass, culminating in him earning the program’s prestigious “Iron Buckeye” honor, reserved for players who embody elite physical conditioning, relentless effort, and leadership. In an era where natural talent often overshadows work ethic, Kienholz has used his experience and grit to match—and in some ways, surpass—the physical tools of even the most hyped recruits.
“I’ve been in the offense for three years now, so more reps and film study have helped me get better,” Kienholz explained during a recent media availability. That familiarity with Ryan Day’s system is a critical advantage. Unlike Sayin, who arrived in Columbus with a glowing five-star high school résumé but no college game experience, Kienholz has navigated the nuances of the playbook for multiple seasons. He understands not just the “what” of each play call, but the “why”—why a certain read comes first, why a particular protection matters against a certain defensive look, why timing and ball placement must be precise to turn a good play into a great one. This level of comprehension, coupled with the chemistry he has developed with Ohio State’s veteran receivers, has kept the competition razor-close even in the face of Sayin’s elite pedigree.
Day’s decision to withhold naming a starter until around August 18 reflects a philosophy rooted in both patience and accountability. By keeping the race open deep into fall camp, he is ensuring that every rep carries weight and that both quarterbacks are pushed to their limits. “Neck and neck” was how Day described the battle, and those words carry weight in a program where starting jobs are rarely given—they are earned, often in the crucible of competition. The longer the decision lingers, the more it tests not just the quarterbacks’ skill sets, but their mental resilience. For Kienholz, this environment is nothing new; he has been competing for positioning in the depth chart since arriving at Ohio State, learning from past starters while sharpening his own tools for the moment when his number might finally be called.
This year’s quarterback competition is not just about who can throw the prettiest spiral or hit a receiver in stride—it’s about who can lead the Buckeyes through the grind of a national title defense. Ohio State is not simply trying to replace production; they are trying to maintain a standard that has placed them among the elite in college football. That standard requires a quarterback who can command the huddle, diagnose defensive schemes pre-snap, execute with precision, and, perhaps most importantly, inspire confidence in the locker room. Kienholz’s leadership has been a consistent theme in Day’s praise, a sign that his impact is felt far beyond the practice field.
On paper, Sayin’s arrival created a narrative that seemed straightforward: a five-star quarterback with a quick release, impressive accuracy, and natural playmaking instincts stepping into a high-powered offense. In reality, college football rarely follows the script that recruiting rankings predict. Kienholz’s athleticism, honed over three years of physical development and mental preparation, has made the competition far more balanced than many outside the program anticipated. His ability to extend plays, keep his eyes downfield under pressure, and make smart decisions has not only kept him in the fight—it has made him a legitimate contender to start against Texas.
The Texas game itself looms as a high-stakes test regardless of who earns the nod. The Longhorns, under Steve Sarkisian, boast a defense that blends athletic speed with veteran savvy, meaning the starting quarterback will need to process quickly and protect the football. For Day, this matchup is a microcosm of what the Buckeyes will face in the Big Ten gauntlet and, ideally, in the College Football Playoff. The decision between Kienholz and Sayin is not just about winning in Week 1; it’s about finding the quarterback who can navigate an entire season of elite competition.
Kienholz’s growth over the offseason reflects the kind of player development that Ohio State prides itself on. Adding 33 pounds of functional muscle is no small feat, especially while maintaining mobility and arm strength. The “Iron Buckeye” recognition is not simply a symbolic honor—it is a reflection of daily discipline, from early-morning lifts to late-night film study. It signals to coaches and teammates alike that he is not just trying to win a job; he is building himself into the kind of quarterback who can shoulder the expectations that come with playing for one of college football’s blue-blood programs.
The mental side of Kienholz’s preparation has been equally important. Mastery of the playbook is one thing; applying that knowledge in live, high-pressure situations is another. Over the past two seasons, he has absorbed lessons from watching the decision-making processes of past starters, understanding how to manage the ebb and flow of a game, and how to respond when momentum shifts. That situational awareness could prove invaluable if he is named the starter. The ability to stay poised when the pocket collapses, or when the game plan must be adjusted on the fly, can often be the difference between a good quarterback and a great one.
Fall camp has given Kienholz opportunities to demonstrate that poise. Reports from practice indicate that he has been sharp in red-zone drills, decisive in third-down situations, and willing to take calculated risks when necessary. His chemistry with veteran targets, combined with an understanding of offensive coordinator Brian Hartline’s adjustments, has made him a steady presence on the field. These qualities are critical in a season where Ohio State’s offense will be tasked with sustaining drives, controlling tempo, and putting pressure on opposing defenses.
At the same time, the challenge of keeping pace with Sayin is not to be underestimated. The freshman’s natural arm talent and rapid adaptation to the college game have made him a constant threat in the competition. This has forced Kienholz to not only maintain his own standard but to elevate it. Every practice rep is a test of precision, every film session a chance to refine decision-making. In some ways, this competition has already served its purpose for Day: both quarterbacks are being forged under pressure, ensuring that whoever emerges will be battle-ready.
Kienholz’s journey is also a testament to the value of patience in modern college football, where the transfer portal has made it easier than ever for players to seek greener pastures. Many quarterbacks in his position—buried behind others on the depth chart early in their careers—might have looked for immediate playing time elsewhere. Instead, Kienholz doubled down on his commitment to Ohio State, trusting in his ability to eventually earn his moment. That decision is now paying dividends, as he stands on the cusp of potentially leading the Buckeyes into one of the most anticipated season openers in years.
Off the field, Kienholz’s approach has resonated with teammates. Leadership is often measured in small moments: encouraging a receiver after a dropped pass, helping a younger lineman understand a blocking adjustment, staying after practice to work on timing with running backs in pass protection. These are the kinds of actions that earn the respect of a locker room and create the trust necessary for a quarterback to be more than just the guy under center—he becomes the heartbeat of the offense.
Ryan Day’s long game in this quarterback decision is not without risk. Delaying the announcement means that game-week preparation will be condensed for the eventual starter. However, Day has shown in the past that he values competition as a catalyst for improvement, and the extended battle could ensure that the chosen quarterback has been tested in every possible way before facing live competition. In a program that expects to play deep into January, that thoroughness is essential.
For Kienholz, the coming days will be about maintaining the momentum he has built over the offseason and early camp. Each practice is another chance to prove that his experience, preparation, and leadership make him the best choice to lead Ohio State’s title defense. The weight room sessions, the countless hours of film study, the extra reps after practice—all of it is building toward a decision that could define his career.
As the August 18 decision date approaches, the battle remains too close to call. Sayin’s raw talent and upside are undeniable, but Kienholz’s steady hand, deep knowledge of the offense, and proven resilience make him an equally compelling option. In the end, the choice will come down to which qualities Day believes will best serve the Buckeyes not just against Texas, but through the long and unforgiving journey of a championship chase.
Regardless of the outcome, Lincoln Kienholz has already shown that he is more than just a name on the roster. He is a competitor in every sense of the word—a player who refused to be overshadowed, who transformed his body and mind for the demands of big-time college football, and who has put himself in position to seize the opportunity when it arrives. Whether his first snap as the starter comes in Week 1 or later in the season, his relentless pursuit of excellence has made a lasting impact on the program.
In the high-stakes world of Ohio State football, moments like these often define not just seasons, but careers. For Lincoln Kienholz, the fight is far from over, but his unwavering determination has already made one thing clear: he will not give up until the final decision is made—and even then, he will keep pushing to be the quarterback his team can count on when the game is on the line.
