LINCOLN KIENHOLZ #3
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 215lb
Position: QB
Class: Junior
Hometown: Pierre, SD
Summary: Whether you have been following this countdown for all 97 days prior to this or today is the first day you’re jumping in, this one likely needs no introduction. The new QB1 in the Jeff Brohm system is none other than Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz (KEEN-holes), the man who battled for the starting spot last year with Julian Sayin and then got the opportunity to play in seven contests, mostly in clean up time, for the Buckeyes. So what are we getting from Kienholz, what can we expect?
The difference with Kienholz and the rest of the transfer quarterbacks Brohm has brought in is that Kienholz has not only not been a starter, but he’s got roughly 130 total snaps total under his belt as a college QB. That’s quite the jump from a guy like Plummer, Shough, or even Moss who knew the grind, and had performed in it. The flip side of that though would be…what if this guy is really good, and we just haven’t seen it yet? My wish for Lincoln is that fans, media, and casuals alike do not judge Kienholz on game one. If Brohm scripts a masterpiece and they shock Ole Miss, hold off on the Heisman talk. If the lights a bit too bright and the defense has their way, hold off on the Wydner talk. Lets see what we have in a guy who is building up confidence, but has proven over and over he is one of the best athletes on the team, and he can be a playmaker at multiple levels, including giving Brohm a true dual-threat option when needed.
I watched all the film, I watched the spring tape, I watched him practice, and if I could predict accurately his success or failure, I’d be on staff, but I do think he has the skills to be a really good quarterback. I worry that the pressure in the early season will be high, and that if the Cards were to start 1-2 the wheels get wobbly and Kienholz has to lead in a situation he has not been in before. But, as we have been reminded time and time again, the “Iron Buckeye” award winner has the intangibles off the field to do just that. Do I wish that with this defense and some of these offensive weapons on the roster that we had a bit more proven signal caller…yes, but I could also see us falling in love with a guy who lets the others make plays, settles into his role, and then turns on the leadership as the Cards march towards an ACC title and a playoff birth.
If you want a little background on Lincoln this was put together while he was still at Ohio State and provides some history for Lincoln and how he got here. I’m excited about the potential and what we could see from him in this offense.
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TYLER THOMPSON #3
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 245lb
Position: DL
Class: Senior
Hometown: Cary, NC
Summary: I’m not in the staff meetings nor am I consulted by Brohm or Ivey as to how I would construct a roster….and the saying remains true that its always easy to spend other peoples money, but….I was surprised with the return of Lubin, and Green, that the Cards went and got another monster edge in Tyler Thompson from North Carolina. I mean, geometry tells there are only so many “ends” to a line, so where do we put all these bodies?
As I ponder the mathematical problem of crafting a third end to a straight line, I also realize I am somewhat complaining about an embarrassment of riches at a particular position, and now I know what Texas and Ohio State and others feel like, at least briefly. For those who may need to apologize to Tyler by about Week 3 and tell him, “I was not familiar with your game” let me give you a head start. Thompson, in twelve games last year, finished with seven sacks, seven and a half tackles for loss, a QB hurry, and a team leading two forced fumbles for the North Carolina Tarheels. So now the Cards have two of the Top 5 returning sack leaders in the ACC in Lubin and Thompson, and Green was only outside of the Top 15 because Wes Bailey was splitting snaps with him last year. Can you imagine the smile on Mark Ivey’s face when Tyler said he was coming?
The Cards can get pressure, the Cards can set the edge, but they also need Thompson to be a run stopper outside, something I think he can do, but needs the chance to grow in that area. Take a peak at some clips from last year where Belichick used him situationally to create havoc in the backfield. In the depths of YouTube I stumbled on these guys who were searching the transfer portal and breaking down some film for some players who could be options for their team, Colorado. They start out giving some thoughts on Thompson, but then a few minutes later, after watching tape, give some high praise for what Tyler can do and how he does it.