Lincoln Kienholz’s path to Louisville has already started to pay off in a big way.
The former Ohio State quarterback, once one of the more highly regarded passers in the 2023 class, is now positioned to take over as the Cardinals’ starter this season. And before he’s even taken the first snap in that role, he’s landed a six-figure NIL deal with adidas, according to On3.
Kienholz arrived in college with real buzz. The Pierre, South Dakota, native was ranked the No. 11 quarterback in his class after a senior season that produced 3,422 passing yards, 46 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He added 1,436 rushing yards and 24 more scores on the ground, giving him 70 total touchdowns in one year.
His time at Ohio State never turned into a full-time starting job. He saw limited action as a freshman, redshirted in 2024 and then battled Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin in the fall of 2025 before finishing as the Buckeyes’ QB2. Once Sayin emerged as one of the nation’s top quarterbacks, Kienholz entered the portal in January 2026 and eventually landed at Louisville.
Brohm clearly likes what he brought with him.
“Lincoln’s definitely in that position where he’s paid his dues, sat behind somebody, learned and absorbed information, and now he knows it’s time to go out and show what he’s all about,” Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm recently told On3. “And you throw in that aspect with the fact that he’s got a good arm and he’s really athletic. He can do a great job for us.”
Kienholz’s brief work as Sayin’s backup offered a glimpse of that skill set. He completed 11 of 14 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown, while also running for 66 yards and two scores. That dual-threat ability is now part of what Louisville is banking on as it hands him the keys in 2026.
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