Scarlet Sunrise: Syncing experience with talent key for Lincoln Kienholz going forward

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Syncing experience with talent key for Lincoln Kienholz going forward

Although he’s not been officially announced as the next Ohio State starting quarterback, Devin Brown is certainly in line to start in the Cotton Bowl against No. 9 Missouri on Dec. 29.

With Kyle McCord in the transfer portal, Brown — McCord’s backup when healthy during the 2023 regular season — has been thrust back into the spotlight for the first time, really, since a longstanding and back-and-forth offseason competition under center.

But don’t forget about Lincoln Kienholz, either.

The true freshman is suddenly a much more significant factor in the Buckeyes’ quarterback room for bowl season.

“Both of them are taking reps and I think both of them show some exquisite playmaking ability,” sixth-year Ohio State wide receiver Xavier Johnson said of Brown and Kienholz Tuesday. “We’re confident with whichever guy Coach Day gives the nod to, whoever goes forward we’ll be confident in. We’re going out there to win the game.”

With Brown still nursing his ankle injury from Week 8 against Penn State, Kienholz made his debut in mop-up duty against Michigan State in Week 11. He completed 2-of-3 passes for 18 yards, and his lone incompletion was an end zone shot for wideout Jayden Ballard.

Kienholz was mostly asked to turn around and hand the ball off, as was the case the next week against Minnesota when he was 2-of-2 for seven yards. But the Buckeyes’ staff pointed out how, since Kienholz got to Ohio State from Pierre, South Dakota, the moment hasn’t been too big for him.

“Lincoln’s just trying to get himself better every day,” Brown said Tuesday. “He’s a really good athlete, and he’s doing everything he can just as I am to be the starter. He’s going to keep working. We’ve been together in the film room and in the weight room together.

“So it’s good to compete still.”

Kienholz, a three-sport high school star who joined the Buckeyes in June, is South Dakota’s all-time passing leader with 9,100 career yards through the air. The one-time Washington commit recorded 104 passing touchdowns and more than 3,500 career rushing yards.

He piloted his T.F. Riggs Governors to three straight 11AA state titles and emerged as the No. 15 quarterback in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

Part of what weighed down his ranking was the level of competition he faced in high school. And because he didn’t enroll early, Kienholz missed some valuable time this past winter and spring to play with and against top-tier talent in practice.

“Lincoln is a young guy who has not a lot of experience but a lot of talent,” wide receiver Emeka Egbuka said Tuesday. “Once he combines experience with that, and he starts to learn the game a little more, he’s going to be something really special, too.”

Batch of NFL Draft-eligible Buckeyes will play in Cotton Bowl

The Ohio State 2021 recruiting class has been behind the wheel for the 2023 Buckeyes season, and a bunch of those third-year standouts are deciding between returning for next season and declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.

On one hand, they still yearn to beat Michigan and win a Big Ten Championship. After all, they’ve never accomplished either of those feats.

On the other hand, a few of them have a good chance of hearing their names called in the first couple rounds of next year’s draft.

One thing’s for sure. A batch of the draft-eligible Buckeyes players will play in the Cotton Bowl. Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer, defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, left guard Donovan Jackson, cornerbacks Denzel Burke and Jordan Hancock and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka each announced Tuesday that they’ll play against No. 9 Missouri in Dallas on Dec. 29.

For more details, go here.

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• Ohio State linebacker Cody Simon announces return for 2024 season

Quarterback Devin Brown focused on being the glue Ohio State needs ahead of Cotton Bowl

Devin Brown’s leadership was a strong suit of his during the Buckeyes’ quarterback competition this past offseason. With Kyle McCord in the transfer portal, Brown is turning to that leadership ahead of the Cotton Bowl.

“It’s a lot of people having individual thoughts,” he said. “Having to be that glue and bind everybody back together is my main focus right now.”

Brown was asked, “Is that exciting for you?”

“Definitely,” he said with a confident smile.

For the full story on Brown, head on over here.

RELATED

• Buckeyes players offer thoughts on Kyle McCord’s departure from Ohio State

Transfer tracker: Breaking down Buckeyes moves, philosophy in transfer portal

Having trouble keeping track of all of Ohio State’s transfer portal departures?

Lettermen Row has you covered.

The Buckeyes have already seen 14 of their scholarship players hit the portal — including starting quarterback Kyle McCord, starting wide receiver Julian Fleming and key running back Chip Trayanum — and there could be more on the way soon.

Follow along here to stay up to date.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 353 days

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