Lincoln Kienholz Honored as an Iron Buckeye, Bringing “a Little Bit of an Edge” to the QB Competition

 

Lincoln Kienholz Honored as an Iron Buckeye, Bringing “a Little Bit of an Edge” to the QB Competition

 

A few weeks after the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrated their national championship in San Francisco, Lincoln Kienholz found himself charting a course for personal advancement. Entering his third season with the program, the former South Dakota high school phenom understood this summer represented his opportunity to stake a legitimate claim for the starting quarterback role.

 

 

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A Summer of Transformation

 

Determined to elevate every facet of his game, Kienholz embarked on a rigorous offseason plan. He committed to enhancing his athleticism—getting bigger, faster, and stronger—while immersing himself in film study and mastering Ohio State’s offensive system. The result: his efforts culminated in being honored as an Iron Buckeye, an accolade designated for players who embody “unquestionable training, dedication, determination, discipline, toughness and leadership” during summer workouts .

 

To Kienholz, that recognition wasn’t just another trophy—it signified something deeply meaningful. As he put it, being named an Iron Buckeye is “probably the biggest honor in the program, especially in the offseason. It definitely means a lot” .

 

 

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Developing Into a Leader with an Edge

 

Ohio State quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler has taken note not only of Kienholz’s physical gains but of the mental strides he’s made. Fessler highlighted how Lincoln has grown more vocal, more present, and, notably, has been playing with “a little bit of an edge”—a quality he views as essential for a quarterback, one that’s positively contagious among teammates .

 

Mechanically, Fessler noted significant improvement as well: quicker releases, refined accuracy, a more stable base, and better footwork—all progressions traced directly to Kienholz’s offseason focus .

 

 

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From Baptism by Fire to Calculated Growth

 

Kienholz’s prior moments on the field haven’t come easy. During his freshman season, he was thrust into action in the 2023 Cotton Bowl after an injury to Devin Brown, playing the majority of snaps despite limited preparation. Although that outing resulted in a 14–3 defeat and highlighted areas where his understanding of protections was lacking, it also served as a crucible for growth .

 

Since then, his grasp of the offense—and the nuances of game situations like red-zone opportunities—has matured notably. “That was almost three years ago,” Lincoln reflected. “I have more experience… I put in time in the offseason, film study, weight room, just getting myself ready” . His red-zone work during fall camp has sparked speculation that even if he doesn’t secure the starting job, he could still offer situational versatility for OSU’s offense .

 

 

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The QB Battle: Who Will Lead?

 

As of early August 2025, the quarterback competition at Ohio State remains tightly contested. Lincoln Kienholz and redshirt freshman Julian Sayin are battling neck-and-neck for the starting spot. Head coach Ryan Day has expressed satisfaction with both, aiming to settle on a starter by early to mid-August .

 

In the meantime, the environment in the QB room has reportedly been collaborative and competitive. Fessler praised the mutual respect and willingness between Kienholz and Sayin to share insights and push each other—qualities indicative of a healthy internal dynamic that ultimately benefits the team .

 

 

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A Snapshot of Who Lincoln Kienholz Is

 

Background & Stats: Hailing from Pierre, South Dakota, Kienholz was one of the nation’s top QB recruits in 2022—ranked No. 13 at his position, and among South Dakota’s few to sign with OSU . In his limited collegiate action (mainly two games in 2023 plus the Cotton Bowl), he has amassed 111 passing yards.

 

Academic Foundations: Already a two-time OSU Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Kienholz also majors in real estate and urban analysis, underscoring his commitment off the field .

 

Athletic Pedigree: In high school, he was a multi-sport star—leading his team to state championships in football while excelling in basketball and baseball. He posted staggering numbers: over 3,400 passing yards and 1,400 rushing yards as a senior, breaking South Dakota’s all-time passing record .

 

Playing Style: Described as an athletic dual-threat with a feel for the game, Kienholz’s youthful game and competitiveness have drawn comparisons to Joe Burrow—not necessarily as identical players, but as signal-callers with multi-sport backgrounds and strong intangibles .

 

 

 

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Why It Matters: What Kienholz Brings to OSU’s QB Race

 

In competitive environments like Ohio State football, success is often determined by who can meld talent with consistency and leadership. Lincoln Kienholz’s summer transformation—from Iron Buckeye honors to controlled aggressiveness, improved mechanics, and heightened mental game—is a potent signal that he’s not settling for incremental development.

 

His work ethic, presence, and competitive edge provide coaches and teammates with a compelling case: he’s not just a physical athlete, but an emerging leader poised to execute when called upon.

 

 

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Conclusion

 

As fall camp progresses and the starting quarterback decision draws near, Lincoln Kienholz stands out not just for his talent, but for the maturity and intensity he’s cultivated. Being named an Iron Buckeye represents more than offseason recognition—it encapsulates his pathway from high school standout to a frontline contender. And as he brings “a little bit of an edge” to every practice, Ohio State fans are watching closely: could this be the season the South Dakota gunslinger takes command of the Buckeye offense?