Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes believe in Julian Sayin even after a disappointing end to his first season as the full-time starter.
That’ll have to continue in full in 2026 as the team’s backup is heading elsewhere in the transfer portal.
Lincoln Kienholz, a junior out of South Dakota, is moving on from Columbus and moving to the ACC following Ohio State’s loss to ACC program Miami in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff.
Miami’s destructive defense disrupted Sayin and Ryan Day’s offense throughout the night in the Cotton Bowl, and several depth players from the team announced their intent to enter the transfer portal following the game.
After having several suitors looking to bring in the Ohio State backup for a possible starting job, Kienholz didn’t need the full two weeks to land at his new school: the Louisville Cardinals.
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The Cardinals have been one of the most-talked-about teams in the ACC entering the transfer portal season, as they were expected to be quick movers to add pieces in hopes of competing for a conference title in 2026.
While some could see this as not a large-scale move for the Cardinals, Kienholz has garnered a lot of positive praise from Day and the Ohio State staff.
He was believed to have been a good competitor to Sayin for the starting job in the preseason, and under Jeff Brohm, could see a quick ascent up the QB hierarchy this coming fall.
In the minuscule amount of time he played this season, he completed 11 out of 14 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown. As a starter, Louisville hopes he can take those positive outings on the reigning national champion and turn it into a productive full season in the ACC.
The transfer portal officially closes on Jan. 16, 2026.
