Julian Sayin vs. Lincoln Kienholz: Ohio State’s Quarterback Battle Reaches a Boiling Point as Fall Camp Intensifies

As summer turns to fall and the countdown to kickoff reaches a fever pitch, all eyes in Columbus are locked on one thing — the quarterback competition unfolding inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. With the 2025 season opener against Texas rapidly approaching, the most high-stakes position battle in college football is playing out at Ohio State between true freshman phenom Julian Sayin and redshirt freshman Lincoln Kienholz. It’s a duel that has captured the attention of fans, analysts, and coaches alike — and it’s showing no signs of cooling down.

Julian Sayin arrived at Ohio State this offseason with the full weight of sky-high expectations on his shoulders. The former five-star recruit from California was one of the most highly coveted quarterbacks in recent memory, known for his quick release, elite anticipation, and preternatural poise in the pocket. From the moment he stepped onto campus, there was buzz — not just because of what he had done in high school, but because of how quickly he adapted to the demands of Ryan Day’s complex offensive system.

Sayin is the kind of player who carries a presence. He doesn’t need to say much to command a room or a huddle. He shows it with how he throws, how he moves, and how he responds to pressure. Even as a true freshman, he’s shown maturity and leadership traits that have some inside the program believing he might be ready to start from day one.

But standing in his way is a competitor who has paid his dues and sharpened his game in the shadows of Ohio State’s quarterback room — Lincoln Kienholz. The South Dakota native has quietly earned the respect of the coaching staff through hard work, attention to detail, and a willingness to grind when no one was watching. Last season, Kienholz stayed patient behind veterans and used the time to soak up everything he could. Now, with a full year in the system and a deep understanding of the playbook, he’s pushing hard to seize the starting job.

Make no mistake — this isn’t just a competition for headlines. This is a real, gritty battle playing out in practice every day. According to team insiders, both quarterbacks have taken reps with the first-team offense, and neither has pulled clearly ahead. Sayin dazzles with tight-window throws and his uncanny ability to read defenses on the fly. Kienholz counters with a cool command of the offense and a confidence that comes from understanding the small details.

Each day of fall camp has added another layer to the story. Sayin’s third day of practice was a statement — he went four-for-four in 11-on-11 drills, threading the ball to receivers with precision and timing that turned heads on the sideline. He looked like a quarterback who belonged, not just someday, but now. Still, Kienholz has been no slouch. His growth as a decision-maker has stood out, and his timing on intermediate throws has improved dramatically from the spring.

Ryan Day has praised both quarterbacks, but he has made it clear that a decision needs to come soon. The staff ideally wants to name a starter at least two weeks before the season opener, giving the winner time to establish chemistry with the offense and settle into a leadership role. But with every practice, the decision becomes more difficult — and more urgent.

What makes this particular battle so compelling is not just the talent involved, but the stylistic contrast between the two players. Sayin is polished and cerebral, a technician who dissects the field with surgical precision. Kienholz is mobile and instinctive, able to extend plays and improvise when protection breaks down. Both skill sets could thrive in Ohio State’s offense — the question is which one will be more effective against elite defenses under the lights this fall.

It’s also a battle with long-term implications. In today’s college football landscape, the quarterback position is more fluid than ever. With the transfer portal always looming, the outcome of this competition could very well determine not just who starts Week 1, but who stays in Columbus for the long haul. Neither Sayin nor Kienholz came to Ohio State to hold a clipboard, and whichever quarterback doesn’t win the job could quickly become one of the most sought-after players in the country.

But neither is thinking that far ahead. Right now, both quarterbacks are locked in, embracing the competition and pushing each other to get better. Teammates have spoken highly of both players, praising Sayin’s confidence and Kienholz’s leadership. The sense around the program is that whoever emerges as the starter will have earned it the hard way.

Ryan Day and quarterbacks coach Corey Dennis are watching every detail — from footwork to huddle command to how each player handles mistakes. The goal is not just to find the most talented quarterback, but the one best equipped to lead Ohio State into battle against the nation’s top teams. And with a massive Week 1 showdown against defending national champion Texas on the schedule, that decision carries even more weight.

The pressure on the coaching staff is immense. Ohio State isn’t rebuilding — it’s reloading, and expectations remain championship-level. The Buckeyes are loaded at wide receiver, with a dynamic backfield and one of the best offensive lines in the country. They just need the right trigger man. Whether that ends up being the freshman sensation or the battle-tested redshirt, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Ohio State’s quarterback battles have often produced NFL stars and legends. From Troy Smith to Terrelle Pryor, from Braxton Miller to Justin Fields, and from C.J. Stroud to Kyle McCord, the tradition of excellence at the position is not just a goal — it’s a requirement. Whoever wins this battle joins a long line of Buckeye quarterbacks tasked with leading one of college football’s most storied programs.

There’s a unique urgency to this year’s decision, though. With the College Football Playoff expanding and competition across the nation heating up, the margin for error is thinner than ever. Ohio State doesn’t just need a good quarterback — they need a great one. And they need him ready to play at a high level from the opening snap.

As camp continues, the reps will become more meaningful. The playbook will open up. The intensity will rise. And eventually, one of these two quarterbacks will separate himself. It may come from a single big throw in a scrimmage. It may come from leading a two-minute drill. Or it may come from consistently stacking good days in practice. However it happens, the moment is coming — and when it does, Ryan Day will have to make a choice that could define the season.

There’s no denying the pressure. But there’s also no denying the talent. Whether it’s Julian Sayin or Lincoln Kienholz, the Buckeyes are in good hands. This is not a case of trying to choose between two underwhelming options. This is a true competition between two high-level quarterbacks with the ability to win big in the Big Ten and beyond.

Fans will continue to debate. Pundits will continue to speculate. But inside the Woody, the message is simple: the best man will win. And as of now, it’s too close to call.

What’s certain is that Ohio State isn’t afraid to let this play out. They believe in competition. They believe in merit. And they believe that pressure, when applied correctly, produces greatness.

So the battle rages on — Sayin vs. Kienholz, two quarterbacks, one job, and the weight of a program on their shoulders. One will walk out of camp with the keys to the kingdom.

The other will be left to decide whether to wait, compete, or chart a new path.

But for now, neither is backing down.

And the fire in the Buckeye quarterback room is only getting hotter.