Top college football pledge Lincoln Kienholz flips the script to Ohio State

Columbus, Ohio - While it may be hard to replace two-time Heisman finalist quarterback CJ Stroud, the Ohio State Buckeyes are off to a good start fulfilling the passer role with an exciting newcomer.

On Tuesday, Lincoln Kienholz flipped his pledge to the Ohio State Buckeyes, becoming its single quarterback commit of the 2023 recruiting class.
On Tuesday, Lincoln Kienholz flipped his pledge to the Ohio State Buckeyes, becoming its single quarterback commit of the 2023 recruiting class.  © Collage: ANDY LYONS / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA & Screenshot / Instagram / Lincoln.kienholz

As Stroud is expected to enter NFL next season, a hole has opened up on the Buckeyes' roster.

Enter Lincoln Kienholz, a four-star quarterback and the best player out of the state of South Dakota, who flipped his commitment from the Washington Huskies to Ohio State on Tuesday.

Kienholz's pledge comes just after former Buckeyes commit Brock Glenn flipped to head to Florida State, leaving Ohio State temporarily without a quarterback in the 2023 class.

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"After long talks and consideration, I [am] very blessed with this opportunity," Kienholtz tweeted Wednesday. "Thank you to [Corey Dennis] and the staff and also everyone that's been along on this ride."

The soon-to-be Buckeyes QB led his high school football team to a perfect 12-0 season record and state championship title this season. Kienholz threw for 3,422 passing yards, 46 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, and on the ground, rushed for 1,436 yards and 24 touchdowns.

The 6-foot-3 athlete is the all-time career passing leader at Riggs High School and has achieved a game record of 31-4 over three years as a varsity starter.

His outstanding play on the field earned him the 2022 MaxPreps South Dakota High School Player of the Year honor.

Kienholtz joins a Buckeyes quarterback room that is set to include sophomore Kyle McCord and freshman Devin Brown, while five-star Dylan Raiola remains committed in the 2024 class.

Cover photo: Collage: ANDY LYONS / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA & Screenshot / Instagram / Lincoln.kienholz

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