Lincoln Kienholz was crisp at quarterback at Ohio State’s spring scrimmage, along with further observations.

Ohio State Football Spring Scrimmage: Lincoln Kienholz Sharp at QB and More Observations

The Ohio State Buckeyes entered the 2025 spring football scrimmage with high expectations, particularly at the quarterback position, where the battle for the starting role was one of the key storylines of the offseason. As the Buckeyes continue to build on their tradition of excellence and compete for a national championship, this spring scrimmage served as an important opportunity for players to show their worth in front of coaches, teammates, and fans alike.

At the center of this quarterback competition was Lincoln Kienholz, a highly regarded freshman who has made waves since his arrival on campus. The spring scrimmage offered a stage for him to demonstrate his skills, and he did not disappoint, looking sharp, confident, and poised as he navigated through the offense. However, while Kienholz’s performance stood out, there were numerous other key observations from the scrimmage, including impressive plays from the defense, emerging offensive weapons, and an overall sense of competition throughout the team.

In this article, we’ll break down the key takeaways from Ohio State’s spring scrimmage, focusing on Kienholz’s performance at quarterback and several other notable players and developments that emerged during the event. Whether it was the competition at quarterback, the progress of the defense, or the growth of under-the-radar players, the 2025 spring scrimmage provided a glimpse of what’s to come for the Buckeyes in the fall.

Lincoln Kienholz: Sharp, Poised, and Ready for the Challenge

One of the biggest storylines heading into the 2025 Ohio State spring scrimmage was the quarterback battle between Lincoln Kienholz, Kyle McCord, and Devin Brown. While McCord and Brown were both returning players with experience, Kienholz was the newcomer, a highly touted freshman with a reputation for being a dual-threat quarterback with an excellent arm and the ability to make plays both in the pocket and on the move. His performance in the scrimmage left little doubt that he’s a player to watch as the competition for the starting quarterback position continues.

Poise in the Pocket

Kienholz’s poise in the pocket was one of the standout elements of his performance. Despite being a freshman, he appeared calm and collected under pressure. His ability to quickly survey the field, make quick decisions, and deliver accurate throws on time was on full display. On several occasions, Kienholz stood tall in the pocket and made tight throws to wide receivers, threading the needle through tight windows while keeping his eyes downfield. His ability to read the defense and adjust to different coverages was impressive for a player so early in his collegiate career.

One of Kienholz’s most impressive throws came during a third-and-long situation, where he fired a perfect deep ball to a receiver in stride, dropping it right over the defender’s shoulder for a significant gain. This throw highlighted not only Kienholz’s arm strength but also his ability to make deep throws with touch and accuracy — an essential skill for a quarterback in the Big Ten.

Mobility and Dual-Threat Capability

As a dual-threat quarterback, Kienholz also showed off his mobility in the scrimmage. While he was not necessarily looking to run the ball every time he dropped back, his ability to escape pressure and create plays with his legs was a key asset. On a number of occasions, Kienholz avoided the rush, scrambled outside the pocket, and either threw the ball downfield or picked up positive yardage with his legs. His athleticism will likely give offensive coordinator Brian Hartline the flexibility to run an offense that mixes both traditional passing schemes and designed quarterback runs, something that the Buckeyes have not had consistently in recent years.

During a notable red zone series, Kienholz used his legs to elude a defender, roll out to his right, and find a wide open tight end in the back corner of the end zone for a touchdown. This showcased his awareness of the pocket, his ability to extend plays, and his comfort with making reads in high-pressure situations. While Kienholz will need to continue developing his decision-making in the passing game, his mobility will undoubtedly give the Buckeyes an added dimension in 2025.

Leadership and Intangibles

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Kienholz’s performance was his leadership. Though he is still a freshman, Kienholz carried himself with confidence and maturity throughout the scrimmage. He communicated effectively with his teammates and displayed excellent body language, even when facing adversity or pressure from the defense. His ability to stay calm in moments of chaos was a hallmark of his poise and intelligence, and it became clear that Kienholz is the type of player who can lead the Buckeyes in critical moments down the stretch.

Overall, Kienholz’s performance in the spring scrimmage was a statement that he is more than just a highly regarded recruit — he is a legitimate contender for the starting quarterback role at Ohio State. While McCord and Brown will remain in the conversation, Kienholz’s sharpness and maturity in the scrimmage solidified his place as a player to watch closely as the competition intensifies.

Defensive Standouts: A Defensive Line That’s Deep and Hungry

While the quarterback competition was the primary focus, the Ohio State defense also had several players who stood out during the spring scrimmage. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has been working to implement a more aggressive, attacking defense since his arrival, and it appears that the Buckeyes’ defense is primed to make a leap in 2025.

J.T. Tuimoloau: An Absolute Force

The defensive line has long been a strength for Ohio State, and that trend looks set to continue in 2025 with J.T. Tuimoloau leading the charge. The junior defensive end was an absolute force during the spring scrimmage, consistently creating pressure in the backfield and wreaking havoc on both passing and running plays. His size, speed, and agility make him a nightmare for opposing offenses, and his performance in the scrimmage showed that he is prepared for a breakout year.

Tuimoloau was particularly disruptive during a series of passing plays, where he got multiple pressures on the quarterback and was credited with a sack on a third-and-long. His ability to explode off the line of scrimmage and generate pressure without the need for extra defenders was a huge asset for the Buckeyes. With Tuimoloau setting the tone, the defensive line looks poised to be one of the best in the country in 2025.

The Linebackers: Newcomers and Veteran Leadership

The Ohio State linebackers had a solid day as well, with both junior Tommy Eichenberg and sophomore C.J. Hicks making their presence felt. Eichenberg, in particular, continues to be the anchor of the defense, calling plays and directing traffic for the front seven. He looked sharp in the spring scrimmage, reading the offense quickly, reacting to plays, and displaying his leadership skills.

Hicks, meanwhile, flashed his athleticism and ability to cover a lot of ground as a sideline-to-sideline linebacker. He was especially effective in pass coverage, where he matched up well with tight ends and running backs. His ability to close on the ball quickly and his instincts for finding the football will make him a key contributor to the linebacker corps in 2025.

The Secondary: Freshmen Showing Promise

While the defensive line and linebackers stole much of the spotlight, the secondary also had a solid outing. The Buckeyes’ cornerback and safety positions are deep and talented, with several players vying for starting spots. Jyaire Brown, a freshman cornerback, impressed during the scrimmage with his ability to stay in tight coverage, his fluidity in man-to-man situations, and his ability to track the ball in the air. Brown, along with Denzel Burke, looks poised to be a top cornerback tandem for the Buckeyes this season.

At safety, Lathan Ransom was active, flying to the ball and making some hard-hitting tackles. Ransom’s ability to play in space and cover the deep ball gives the Ohio State defense added flexibility to match up with high-powered offenses.

Offensive Playmakers: Emerging Stars

While the quarterback competition grabbed most of the attention, several offensive playmakers stepped up during the spring scrimmage, showcasing their talents and making a case for expanded roles in the 2025 season.

Wide Receivers: Young Talent and Depth

Ohio State continues to produce elite talent at the wide receiver position, and this spring was no different. Emeka Egbuka and Marvin Harrison Jr. were their usual dominant selves, catching everything thrown their way and making plays after the catch. However, what stood out in the spring scrimmage was the emergence of fellow wide receiver Carnell Tate, a true freshman who had an exceptional showing. Tate’s speed and ability to create separation were evident, as he caught multiple passes, including a deep touchdown from Kienholz. His performance raised expectations for his role in the offense in 2025.