Ohio State is feeling the effect of the transfer portal after its heartbreaking end to the 2025 season with a loss to Miami last night. After tight end Jelani Thurman announced his decision to enter the portal, the Buckeyes’ QB Lincoln Kienholz is also following suit.

Before the 2025 season started, Ohio State saw a QB battle featuring Julian Sayin and Kienholz. In his third season with the Buckeyes, Kienholz, a former four-star prospect from the 2023 class, has found it tough to secure regular playing time behind Sayin, who won the QB1 job and hasn’t looked back.

With Sayin firmly established as the starter and ineligible for the 2026 NFL Draft, Kienholz acknowledged that tough conversations have taken place with head coach Ryan Day and the QB coach about his future.

“I’ve definitely had conversations,” Kienholz said. “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.”

Kienholz hasn’t been invisible, despite his resume lacking starting experience. This season, he has made six appearances and completed 11 of 14 throws for 139 yards and a touchdown without an interception. He showed off his mobility by running for 66 yards and two touchdowns. His most extended action came during the 2023 bowl loss to Missouri after an injury to Devin Brown, a tough spot that didn’t go his way.

“It’s difficult for sure. Just being a backup quarterback’s hard, ‘cause you are one play away, but then you also might not be playing at all that year,” Kienholz said. “So it’s tough for sure. But also, just being prepared for that situation is important, ‘cause once you get your chance to go out there, you gotta capitalize on it.”

Now that Lincoln Kienholz is officially in the portal, the focus has shifted from why he is leaving Ohio State to where he could end up, and there are a lot of possibilities.

Lincoln Kienholz’s next move

Arizona State stands out as a perfect fit for him right away. With Sam Leavitt leaving and the Sun Devils with a massive hole in the QB room, Kienholz would enter a room screaming for stability and experience. He’s already the highest-ranked quarterback to enter the portal so far, and it makes a lot of sense to bet on a former four-star who has been developed at Ohio State for a club striving to stay strong in a shifting Big 12 scenario.

Then there are the choices that would hurt Buckeye fans the hardest. The obvious pick is Michigan. The former No. 2 quarterback from Ohio State crossing enemy lines would be a gut hit, but the Wolverines may need answers fast. Michigan may need to examine the portal due to the uncertainty surrounding Bryce Underwood and the program’s efforts to rebuild after the Sherrone Moore era. Miami is also categorized as “controversial but logical.” The Hurricanes are anticipated to lose Carson Beck to the NFL after defeating Ohio State, leaving the quarterback room open.

However, not every choice needs to be flashy. With Aidan Bouman getting out of eligibility, South Dakota presents a full-circle opportunity to return home, join a successful MVFC club, and possibly chase a conference title. And then there’s Florida, where chaos has created opportunity. The Gators are starting over with a new staff after DJ Lagway left and Billy Napier was fired, and the portal will play a key role in that process.

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