How Lincoln Kienholz Became a Star in South Dakota and a Future Ohio State Quarterback

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stlbuckeye15's picture

Love Keinholz's attitude! This kid is confident and not afraid to compete. Day got a good one and I'm excited to see him develop.

“If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.”
-Jack Handey

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PalmettoBuckeye's picture

Nearly fainted when I read he rushed for over 1,000 yards each of the last 2 seasons.

Yes. Please.

"going to hang 100 on them." -Ryan Day

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Dominus's picture

That really commanded my attention as well. This is great!

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RVA_Buckeye_Fanatic's picture

Welcome to Buckeye Nation!

"Because I couldn't go for three."

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Icouldnotgofor3's picture

Kid is a winner..........Let's just hope Ryan Day is not the play caller anymore ...........

Saban on a cart eating cold pizza

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vball10set's picture

‘Well, don't go there. They have all these other quarterbacks, they have all these five-star quarterbacks in a room.’ 

(Day)  “Well, what are they saying about you? They obviously don't think you belong. And everybody has dreams of playing in the NFL. When you sit in an NFL room when you're in the preseason, you're gonna be sitting with a lot of really good quarterbacks, and you're gonna have to compete. And the challenge is, if you can make it here, you make it anywhere. And I think that's where Lincoln was really into it and never flinched.” 

love this approach by Coach Day, aka The QB Whisperer

Faster, tougher, and more violent...

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CreekBuck's picture

100%.  My thoughts exactly. Day can sale ice to an Eskimo.  Which makes Dylan Raiola decommit puzzling. But I guess the pull of family was too much?

Muck Fichigan

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RK84's picture

I think Days quote kinda explained the Raiola situation at least that’s me reading into it. 

It doesn't matter whether you're the lion or a gazelle-when the sun comes up, you'd better be running.

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CreekBuck's picture

Remind me of the quote.

Muck Fichigan

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BucksHave7's picture

Raiola gonna be another Adrian Martinez. Kid took the quick buck. 

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SnGinWV's picture

This kid gets it.  
The grind of running cross country is pure mental toughness.  I coached middle school cross country for 5yrs.  It attracts a certain type of kid…. Not afraid to work hard,  almost always a great student and grit / toughness you can’t teach.  
Big fan of Lincoln already!! 

Life long fan of... The!

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SalemBuckeye's picture

Tough tough sport. Mentally tough is right.

SalemBuckeye

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RemainCalm's picture

Wonderful article on the recruitment process, Garrick.  I especially appreciate all of the effort to reach out to and speak with so many opposing coaches.  Also a nod to the great work by Coach Day and especially Corey Dennis to find and recruit talent.  It isnt easy getting to Pierre.

RemainCalm — All is well.

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Garrick Hodge's picture

Thank you, appreciate the kind words.

Brutus_and_Einhorn's picture

I second this whole heartedly. Hearing the opposing team's head coach speak to game preparation was prime time!

Einhorn is Brutus?

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ChazBuckeye's picture

This kids is going to surprise many of the naysayers bc he has heart and drive to succeed no matter what. I could see him waiting for his shot, and quite frankly taking it for his own. Despite the suppposed bad football being played over in South Dakota HSs, according to our 11W posters (go look at his commitment article if you need references, plural).
Glad he came here to Ohio, rather than Washington.

"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you."

Woody Hayes

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CowCat's picture

Kid seems to have a great attitude.

I liked his film.   The baseball crossover in his throws reminds me of Justin Fields a bit.  When he runs, he seems to have deceptive speed and glide that reminds me of Terrelle Pryor.

"We get paid to score touchdowns, not kick field goals"
-- Urban Meyer

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Bucks19's picture

The baseball crossover in his throws reminds me of Justin Fields a bit.

My exact thoughts

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DammitHamby's picture

Maybe I'm a sucker but I think the teams spending a ton on NIL are going to regret it in the long term. Kids show for one year to get the money and transfer for more the next year. Who know if you pay 2 mil for a bust. Kids like Lincoln, Innis, Tate, and Montgomery are gonna be special IMO.

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Steelydan54's picture

Great winner attitude- excellent athleticism, hard worker, everything you want in a third string QB at tOSU. It may take him a couple years in the dojo to get built and coached up, but LK can definitely have a future here. I even like that he's gonna finish his senior year, play sports and graduate with his class; gonna pay his dues, do the work and do his best to prove himself "the guy" in due time. A very mature attitude for an 18 year old. 

Steelybuck54

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CreekBuck's picture

Someone once said, "You win with people."  Dudes like this OSU can win.

Muck Fichigan

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SalemBuckeye's picture

Without reading too much into it there is something about a kid who has won state championships. Been on the biggest stage and delivered. Don't forget McCord won 3 sc.

SalemBuckeye

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YoungBossBuckeye's picture

Love his mentality and attitude. He'll certainly take to coaching and the S&C program. He is an incredible, natural multi-sport athlete and appears to have the ability to be a leader. 

Kids who come from remote places like South Dakota aren't about glitz and glamour. These are people who work for everything they have. They seem to acclimate better and appreciate what they get. He seems like the type of kid who respects his coaches, his teammates, and most importantly, the grind. 

BOATS and HOES. 

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kzx's picture

Really good point. Tired of the "show me love" and kids jumping ship for the next highest bidder. 

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CreekBuck's picture

f we're not in the middle of South Dakota, is he still a four-star? Is he a five-star? You don't know,”

Well if he had 70 TDs his Senior year in just about any other state, especially Florida/Texas/Cali/GA, no doubt he's a 5 star. 

Muck Fichigan

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jwm552002's picture

Like the idea of a QB running. CJ held back and finally displayed his legs against Georgia and had the game of his life.

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CreekBuck's picture

^^^^^^ 

In today's football got to be able to pass and run as a QB. 

It's apparent to me CJ was told by the staff not to run.  I wonder if Justin's injuries particularly the Semi-final hit he took greatly influenced Day and company to not run the QB? 

Muck Fichigan

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raiderred's picture

Yeah this was a really awesome job done by you Garrick. Hats off

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bull1214's picture

Ok I’m a fan and he’s not even here yet! Love the mindset. Love the skill set. Love the potential. I hope he’s as committed to the development part as he seems to be. That’s the part that takes a little time for young qb’s. It’s not just getting on the field, it’s knowing what to do once you’re out there. I think he has IT. 

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stevemcbuckeye's picture

Sounds like a great addition and his dual threat capability is exciting.

I didn't notice it in the article. Do we know his 40 time? Just wondering if his speed will translate to OSU. Can't imagine the speed competition in South Dakota HS is all that great.

Nice article!

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a.buck's picture

I am wondering if he is a little under rated as a prospect because he is from S Dakota. Like if this kid is playing in texas he is a fringe 5 star right? You have to think Day stole a gem with this kid. It will also be interesting to watch his development compared to Riola

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allinosu's picture

The next Joe Burrow with better wheels.

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Evannati's picture

I was going to say he reminds me of Joe Burrow coming out of Athens.

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Bratwurstcapitalbuckeye's picture

He's got the eye of the tiger. Look at his picture.

Go Bucks!

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Keze's picture

Why wasn't Joe mentioned in the QBs group , guess the kid realizes Joe was developed at TOSU.

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McGrind's picture

QB from central casting...can't wait to see him play. (If you are a O lineman...how do you not want to play and block for this qb room?)

Justice delayed is justice denied....#FTP

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Trendendo's picture

He's our next playoff QB. Joe burrow vibes for sure, but potentially more talented (at least coming into school). Can't wait to see him on the field!! 

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C Pistol's picture

I have a good feeling about this kid. Obviously didn't play a high level of high school football, but he should have 2 years to sit and develop regardless who wins the job between McCord and Brown

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cinserious's picture

Great to know Lincoln is a Buckeye and will (most likely) be for the long haul. Never know who the next GOAT will be and now it seems we have multiple possibilities! Not worried about Raiola in the slightest now.

"Put ya' weight on it"

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Ole Buckeye's picture

My comment will sound a little weird, and it will also show my age:  this kid's high school film reminds me of Art Schlichter. 

Schlichter was a running quarterback who also had a "big arm" and also had to learn how to not trust it too much (threw a lot of interceptions, including the one that got Woody fired). 

I think he could be a grrrrrrrrrreat OSU QB. 

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ApollosGYRO's picture

I’m getting Josh Allen vibes from this man and I love his grit and energy he brings! I’m very happy we have him on our team!

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BuckeyeInDenver's picture

People keep making the Burrow comparison, and I get it, but I also see a little bit of Fields in the way he runs the ball. Just watched that highlight reel and he had a few long runs, breaking tackles and making guys miss. I know it's South Dakota, and he's definitely not the freak Fields is, but I think he's slightly more athletic than Burrow.

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buckeyedude's picture

If we’re going to make comparisons, I believe that Lincoln’s build and style looks more like Terrelle Pryor. He’s long and lanky, with long limbs and glides as he runs, as Terrelle did. The speed is deceptive. Guarantee Lincoln would be a 5* had he played in Texas. 

As you get older, three things happen: The first is your memory goes, and I can't remember the other two.

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BuckeyeInDenver's picture

Couple inches shorter and a much better passer than Pryor, but I see what you mean. He glides down the field for sure; actually kind of reminds me of Trevor Lawrence as a runner, the more I think about it.

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BuckCLE's picture

The rumors were out there but after watching the highlights I can now see why Dylan Raiola decommitted. Kienholz is just built different in every way (and I'm a huge fan of Devin Brown who is not that different). Would not surprise me to see this kid getting a long look at starting in his 2nd year with McCord being a one and done.

N High St. was my playground

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Woody 1's picture

Does anyone know what the German name Keinholz translates to English?? Give up?? Well it's Pinewood. Keinholz === Pinewood auf English. Hopefully, it's not knotty pinewood.

http://URLWoody 1

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Tresselball4life's picture

Not the same height.  Keinholtz scrambles and makes defensive lineman miss .   He also throws awesome deep balls.   I never saw Martell play like that.  Just watch the all American bowl game 

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sdbuckeye11W4's picture

What's not to like?  A few other posters said they had a good feeling about his prospects. i do, too. Can't wait to see how his future unfolds.  I think both he and Riaola will do very well. We would appear to have three very viable qbs in the room at the moment. That's a good start, but could we please land another O-lineman from the portal so we can take better advantage of a talented running back room and protect our new qb (whoever that turns out to be). Also, Styles will help on the back end but our cbs are cause for concern. As for next year, Notre Dame and Michigan are large roadblocks.

"We already make a Doritos for women. They're called Doritos."

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The Second Coming of Earle's picture

Look into his eyes.

That's no primadonna.  That's Clubber Lang right there.  Everything about him indicates that he's a rock star in-waiting.  He loves the atmosphere.  He wants the glory.  And something tells me that he's not afraid of a bullseye on his back.

If what he forged in South Dakota translates in Columbus?  It's going to be a heck of a ride!  I look forward to hearing about his on-campus and training progress.  I also look forward to him losing that "black stripe".

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Little Mikey's picture

Welcome.

My one concern would be he was playing in the second highest high school division in a state that is I think 43rd or so in population.  I am concerned about the level of competition he has faced. Some comments were like “ if he put up those statistics in a big state he would be five star” but we could also flip that and say that any other three or four star who moved to South Dakota might put up five star statistics against that competition. There was a comment from an opponent coach who told his team “ you were going against a Power 5 kid” - I don’t know if any high school coach in Ohio or other high recruit states is saying things like that because it’s happening all the time.

He might face a tough period of adjustment and it may take a longer time to shed that black stripe. But he appears to be excited about the challenge and I admire that. 

Michael

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bull1214's picture

Quarterbacks are vetted in so many ways now that the high school competition and stats are simply a part of the process. His showing at the all American game quieted any concern about how he compares to other similar ranked players I think. Seems to be atleast worthy of the opportunity. 

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NOBLUE's picture

Quit with the Joe Burrow comparisons ...Joe was developed here but we don't want another QB here to be developed then leave and win a Natty and the Heisman somewhere else .....haha ..

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buckeyedude's picture

I believe if Lincoln had played high school ball in Florida or Texas, he’d easily be rated as a 5* recruit. We are so fortunate to have Lincoln in the QB room. He isn’t coming in with an entitlement mentality. 

As you get older, three things happen: The first is your memory goes, and I can't remember the other two.

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