Ryan Day believes Ohio State will still need Lincoln Keinholz despite naming Julian Sayin the starting quarterback.

Lincoln Kienholz won’t be Ohio State’s next starting quarterback, but the idea of what he represents is still a glowing success. The plan for his career was always about the long game. His task was to spend the first two years of his career developing behind the scenes,

Lincoln Kienholz will be the backup to Julian Sayin at Ohio State, at least in Week 1 against No. 1-ranked Texas.

Head coach Ryan Day named the sophomore as his starting QB for the No. 3 Buckeyes’ highly anticipated season-opening showdown against Arch Manning and No. 1 Texas at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30. Sayin beat out junior Lincoln Kienholz for the job.

Ryan Day shares insights on Ohio State’s intense QB battle as Sayin and Kienholz compete for the starting spot before the Texas game.

Lincoln Kienholz was a do-everything athlete in South Dakota, fostering a competitiveness that prepared him for a high-profile quarterback battle.

Haskins and Burrow squared off in 2018. Haskins would end up winning the job, prompting Burrow’s decision to transfer to LSU. He would eventually go on to lead the Tigers to a national championship in 2019, winning the Heisman Trophy along the way.

The Texas Longhorns still don't know who they will face at QB for the Buckeyes in Week 1. But redshirt freshman is emerging as the winner.