Sayin vs. Kienholz: Ohio State Quarterback Battle Reaches Boiling Point as Fall Camp Intensifies in Columbus

As the sun rises over Columbus and fall camp kicks into full gear, the heartbeat of the Ohio State football program is pulsing faster with each practice, each rep, and each throw. All eyes are locked on the most high-stakes and headline-worthy storyline of the preseason: the quarterback battle between true freshman Julian Sayin and redshirt freshman Lincoln Kienholz. In a program accustomed to elite quarterback play and national championship expectations, this isn’t just a competition—it’s a proving ground for the future of Buckeye football. And the intensity is only growing.

Julian Sayin arrived at Ohio State as one of the most heralded quarterback recruits in the country. A five-star signal-caller with impeccable pedigree and jaw-dropping tape, Sayin was expected to be the next in a long line of elite passers to walk through the doors of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. But no one quite anticipated how quickly he would make his presence known. Just days into camp, coaches and teammates alike are raving about his poise, precision, and leadership. There’s a calmness to his game that belies his age. Every throw carries weight. Every rep seems to tell the same story: this isn’t your typical freshman.

From the moment Sayin stepped on the field, he carried himself like someone who belonged. That’s no small feat in Columbus, where expectations are sky-high and the competition is fierce. The Buckeyes don’t hand out quarterback jobs—they’re earned. And Julian Sayin is doing everything in his power to make sure his name isn’t just in the conversation, but at the top of the depth chart.

But standing in his way is Lincoln Kienholz, a talented and confident redshirt freshman who isn’t ready to let the future arrive just yet. Kienholz has quietly earned the respect of his coaches by doing the hard work behind the scenes—learning the offense, mastering the playbook, building chemistry with his teammates. He may not have arrived with the same recruiting fanfare as Sayin, but what he brings is experience within the system, familiarity with the demands of the Buckeye quarterback room, and a strong arm of his own. And he’s not backing down.

If anything, Kienholz has raised his game as the competition has heated up. In team drills, he’s showing improved decision-making and sharper footwork. He’s throwing with confidence and commanding the huddle with authority. Kienholz understands what’s at stake—and he’s fighting to prove that this is his moment. The battle between Sayin and Kienholz has quickly evolved into a true quarterback duel, the kind that reveals character as much as talent.

Head coach Ryan Day has remained measured in his public comments, refusing to name a starter and insisting that the competition remains open. And that’s exactly the message he wants to send—to the media, to fans, and most importantly, to his team. No one is being handed the job. It must be earned, snap by snap. For Day, a former quarterback himself, this kind of competition is a healthy and necessary part of building a championship-caliber program.

What makes this battle so fascinating isn’t just the individual talent of Sayin and Kienholz—it’s what it represents for the program. In the modern era of college football, the quarterback is more than just a player. He’s the face of the franchise, the leader of the locker room, the engine that drives the offense. With the transfer portal and NIL changing the landscape, naming the right starter can make or break a season—and set the tone for the years ahead.

Sayin brings flash and upside. His natural talent is undeniable. The way the ball jumps out of his hand, the timing on his throws, the ease with which he scans the field—all of it points to a player who could dominate college football sooner rather than later. He’s the kind of quarterback who could one day hoist a Heisman Trophy or lead a team to the College Football Playoff. The ceiling is sky-high.

Kienholz, on the other hand, brings grit and growth. He’s battled through the learning curve, stayed patient in a quarterback room that’s constantly in flux, and taken advantage of every opportunity to get better. He may not have the same buzz as Sayin, but he has the backing of teammates who’ve seen him work and improve day by day. And sometimes, the guy who knows the system best is the one who wins the job.

This is more than just a two-man race, though. Every throw in practice is being evaluated. Every scrimmage rep is being filmed, graded, dissected. The coaching staff is looking at everything—arm strength, accuracy, footwork, timing, leadership, composure under pressure. The winner of this battle won’t be chosen on potential alone. It will come down to who can run the offense most effectively, protect the football, and lead Ohio State back to the heights the program expects.

Fans are watching closely, and the debate rages across social media, talk radio, and tailgate circles. Some are already all-in on Sayin, convinced that his raw ability and upside are too great to ignore. Others back Kienholz, citing the importance of experience and system knowledge. It’s a classic clash—youth versus experience, flash versus familiarity, the next big thing versus the guy who’s already in the building.

For Ryan Day, the decision may not come until deep into camp or even closer to kickoff. The competition could even bleed into the early part of the season. But one thing is certain: whoever wins the job will have earned it in the crucible of one of the most intense quarterback battles Ohio State has seen in years. And whoever doesn’t win will still be vital to the team’s success—either as a capable backup or as a future starter waiting in the wings.

There’s also the matter of long-term implications. With the transfer portal looming large, neither Sayin nor Kienholz is likely to sit quietly if they’re buried on the depth chart. That’s the new reality of college football: depth is fragile, and talent wants to play. That adds even more weight to Day’s decision. He’s not just choosing a starter for Week 1—he’s shaping the trajectory of the position for the next several seasons.

In many ways, this quarterback battle is a microcosm of everything Ohio State football is about: competition, excellence, tradition, and relentless pursuit of greatness. Every practice rep is infused with urgency. Every meeting is high stakes. Sayin and Kienholz aren’t just fighting for the job—they’re fighting to lead one of the most storied programs in college football history. They’re battling to be the face of Saturdays in the Horseshoe.

No matter who ultimately emerges as the starter, the Buckeyes will take the field this fall with a quarterback capable of leading them deep into the postseason. The supporting cast is elite. The coaching staff is battle-tested. The expectations are unchanged. But the identity of the 2025 Ohio State Buckeyes will be shaped, in large part, by the outcome of this quarterback duel.

As fall camp rolls on and the season opener draws near, the tension will only build. Every pass matters. Every mistake is magnified. And every moment is a chance to seize the spotlight. Sayin and Kienholz know what’s at stake. They know the legacy they’re stepping into. And they’re ready for it.

In Columbus, quarterback battles aren’t just competitions. They’re events. And this one is shaping up to be unforgettable.

Because this isn’t just about who starts.

It’s about who leads.