Kienholz Taking the Path Less Traveled

The chemistry between an offensive-minded head coach and his quarterback(s) is vital to the success of both.

In the case of Kalen DeBoer, since his arrival at the University of Washington a little more than seven months ago the most common word emphasized has been relationships. Building a foundation – a special bond – has something of a strong suit for the first-year Huskies coach.

DeBoer chose not to sign a high school quarterback in the 2022 recruiting class. So, that meant he and the rest of the coaching staff dove head first into finding their guy for this years’ cycle. As it turned out the one they wanted was in DeBoer’s old back yard.

Lincoln Kienholz, a 6-foot-3 and 185-pounder from Pierre, South Dakota, about 235 miles south west from where DeBoer grew up in Milbank, received a scholarship offer from the Huskies on April 19, one day after Washington State became his first Power Five offer.

Over the next three weeks Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas State and a few others joined his list. In June, Kienholz took four of his five allotted official visits with the plan being to make his college decision roughly a week after his final trip near the end of the month.

The three-star dual-threat recruit visited Wisconsin (June 3), Wyoming (June 10), North Dakota State (June 19), and then headed to the upper left to visit Washington. Kienholz was one of almost two-dozen prospects on campus the weekend of June 23, when several of the uncommitted visitors became part of the Huskies 2023 class.

As it turned out, Kienholz was one of them.

A Special Bond

DeBoer has been an under-the-radar name in the grander world of college football over the last decade-plus, quickly rising over the past few years before taking his first Power Five head coaching job at UW.

Likewise, Kienholz wasn’t the first 2023 quarterback to receive an offer from the Huskies. However, as the dominos began to fall with other prospects making their college decision this spring, the Mount Rushmore State signal-caller had a decision to make.

When he began his college coaching career at his alma mater, Sioux Falls, DeBoer didn’t have the likes of Wisconsin, UW and other Big Ten schools calling to have him be their coach. In a similar fashion, Kienholz knew he could make a safe and easy choice, stay home and play for the Bison under Matt Entz.

Or, bet on himself and take a chance. He talked with DeBoer about the fact that both came from a similar way.

“Oh yeah, it came up a lot,” Kienholz said. “How we kind of have a connection over all the other coaches. It means a lot. He shared his story of how he got to Washington and how he can relate to me in my situation. It meant a lot coming from him and his experience with it.”

Not Just a Slinger

Before the Huskies took the field this past April for their first spring practices under DeBoer, he made it clear what he wants from his quarterbacks: decision making first and foremost.

If they can run, that only serves as a bonus.

Kienholz is no-question a throw-first quarterback. He threw for 37 touchdowns and 3,359 yards while being picked off just six times. He also showed an increased ability to use his legs, rushing for 1,165 yards and 12 touchdowns on 167 attempts.

“I think I’ll fit real well. I talked with coach Grubb and Coach DeBoer as well and they just explained everything for me,” he said. “Obviously it’s a heavy passing game. But they’re going to throw in some quarterback runs as well because they feel comfortable with me doing it since I’ve done it these past two years pretty well. I’m looking forward to that.”

Kienholz will enroll at Washington next June when the 2023 class will begin the L.E.A.P program. He will join three other scholarship quarterbacks; Michael Penix Jr., Dylan Morris and Sam Huard when he gets on campus.