Ohio State quarterback Lincoln Kienholz has officially entered the transfer portal, closing one chapter and opening another in what has been a patient, deliberate college journey for the former four-star recruit.
Kienholz did everything “the right way” in Columbus. He waited his turn, developed behind the scenes, and when he attempted to compete for the starting job, he lost out to QB Julian Sayin. With NFL aspirations firmly in mind, Kienholz understood a hard truth of modern college football: development requires game reps.
If Kienholz wants to keep his pro dreams alive, he needs to be on the field, and that makes this transfer decision one of the most important of his career. With that in mind, here are five landing spots that make the most sense for the former high school star.
Alabama
Alabama becomes a real option if, and only if, Ty Simpson declares for the 2026 NFL Draft, opening the door for immediate competition at quarterback.
What makes this fit especially intriguing is familiarity. Kienholz was once committed to Washington, and that matters because Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb, the same coaches who heavily recruited him, are now running the show in Tuscaloosa. They know his game, his strengths, and how to utilize him effectively.
DeBoer’s offense is built to throw the football according to PFSN’s Offense Impact Metric. During the 2025 regular season (13 games), Alabama ranked:
That kind of volume would give Kienholz every chance to prove he can play at an elite level while leading a top-tier SEC program. If the path to the field is there, Alabama could be a massive opportunity.
Kansas State
Kansas State is another school that made sense even back in high school, and it could make even more sense now.
With former Wildcat great Collin Klein returning to Manhattan after leaving Texas A&M, the offensive identity is clear. Klein favors a true dual-threat quarterback, someone who can punish defenses through the air and on the ground. That profile fits Kienholz perfectly.
Klein’s success with Marcel Reed this season showed exactly what that system can produce:
- 83.6 PFSN QB Impact Score
- 25 passing touchdowns
- 6 rushing touchdowns
Kienholz mirrors that mold. His mobility, toughness, and willingness to attack defenses align seamlessly with how Klein wants to operate. Kansas State could give him stability, a system tailored to his strengths, and a legitimate path to Big 12 contention.
Iowa
Kienholz feels like a Big Ten quarterback, and that’s no coincidence. A South Dakota native who chose Ohio State, he clearly values the style and identity of Big Ten football.
Iowa has long been defined by elite defense and physicality, and last season backed that up:
- 86.8 defensive grade (14th nationally)
- 79.5 offensive grade
If the offense can even approach the level of the defense, the Hawkeyes could push into the conference’s upper tier. Kienholz could be the missing piece.
He fits the mold Iowa has pursued before, similar to Mark Gronowski, a quarterback who will run when needed, manage the game, and do whatever it takes to win. In a run-heavy system, Kienholz’s mobility becomes an asset rather than a limitation. If Iowa wants to raise its offensive ceiling, he’s a logical answer.
Northwestern
This one might be sneaky, but it makes a lot of sense.
Northwestern just hired Chip Kelly, Kienholz’s former offensive coordinator at Ohio State, before Kelly’s brief NFL stint. A reunion would allow Kienholz to step into a system he already understands, with a coach who already trusts him.
The Wildcats are also trending upward. After winning seven games and a bowl game, Northwestern is clearly ahead of schedule in its rebuild. They also quietly have weapons.
Wide receiver Griffin Wilde put together a strong season:
- 783 receiving yards
- 6 touchdowns
- Bowl Game MVP
For a program not known for airing it out, that production stands out. Add in a quarterback who can elevate the offense while maintaining Big Ten toughness, and Northwestern suddenly looks like a home-run opportunity.
Vanderbilt
This is the wild card, but also the most fun.
With the Commodores losing their Heisman finalist quarterback to eligibility, there’s a temporary opening under center. Vanderbilt did just sign five-star QB Jared Curtis, which could complicate things long-term, but that doesn’t eliminate the short-term fit.
Kienholz could step in as a one-year bridge starter, allowing Curtis time to develop without pressure. Stylistically, the fit works. Kienholz matches the Pavia-style quarterback mold, stressing defenses with his legs while pushing the ball vertically.
Vanderbilt football is quietly on the rise, and according to PFSN, the Commodores graded out as the No. 1 offense in 2025 with a 93.7 rating. That environment could give Kienholz maximum exposure against SEC competition, a huge selling point for NFL evaluators.
