Former Ohio State running back and linebacker Steele Chambers wants to get a former Ohio State backup quarterback back in Columbus next season.
Appearing on "The Bobby Carpenter Show" with former Ohio State linebacker Bobby Carpenter Sept. 21, Chambers praised Louisville starting quarterback Lincoln Kienholz, who spent three years on the Buckeyes before transferring after the 2025 season.
"I'll try to get in his ear," Chambers said. "I would love to have him back and be in the Scarlet and Gray. Because he's playing so well and to see him go three years at Ohio State, never getting his chance and to now play the way he's playing, that just shows you the kind
of guy he is."
Kienholz is coming off a Week 3 win against No. 16 SMU. He threw for 177 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 42 yards and a score.
He has the 13th-best passer rating in all of college football. He has yet to throw an interception and has 816 passing yards and six passing touchdowns through three games. He also has 153 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns while averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
Kienholz arrived at Ohio State in 2023, which was Chambers' last year on the team. A four-star prospect according to 247Sports' composite rankings, Kienholz was the No. 15 quarterback in the 2023 class.
Last season, Kienholz backed up current Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, who had a Heisman finalist campaign and led the FBS in completion percentage in 2025.
Kienholz has one more year of eligibility remaining in college football after this season. While Sayin is a potential candidate to forgo his college eligibility and declare for the NFL draft, he does have two more years of eligibility after 2026 and could remain the starter at Ohio State.
If not, Chambers thinks Ohio State should take another shot at Kienholz.
"I know it would be a little too late, [it's] kind of like asking an ex for a second chance, but I think it might be worth it," Chambers said.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Steele Chambers wants Ohio State to bring back former Buckeyes QB
