Jeff Brohm Sets the Tone: Lincoln Kienholz Is Louisville’s QB1 Heading Into 2026
Louisville football is hitting the reset button in a big way. After a whirlwind offseason that saw the Cardinals bring in 30 players via the Transfer Portal and another 20 from the 2026 recruiting class, this team is going to look-and feel-completely different. And nowhere is that transformation more apparent than under center.
The quarterback room has been gutted and rebuilt from the ground up. Gone are Miller Moss, who graduated, and Deuce Adams, Brady Allen, and Mason Mims, all of whom entered the portal. That’s four quarterbacks out the door, leaving head coach Jeff Brohm with a clean slate-and a big decision.
Brohm, now entering his fourth season at the helm, didn’t waste time. He dipped into the portal once again and came away with a pair of intriguing options. But make no mistake: the quarterback competition might technically be open, but Brohm made it crystal clear at Tuesday’s press conference who’s got the inside track.
Lincoln Kienholz: The New Face of the Cardinals’ Offense
When Louisville landed Lincoln Kienholz, the former Ohio State signal-caller, it wasn’t just a depth move. This was a calculated addition. Brohm sees Kienholz as the guy to lead the offense, and he didn’t mince words about it.
“Definitely, Lincoln wants to take the reins and play great football,” Brohm said. “I definitely feel like Lincoln brings us a dimension we have not had before.
He’s a very good athlete. He shows that every day, even now, up to this point, he can throw the football as well.
He knows his time is now, and we're going to work very hard every day to help him play his best football as we get going into the season."
That’s about as direct as it gets from Brohm. And it makes sense.
Kienholz arrives in Louisville with a strong pedigree and a chip on his shoulder after spending three years as a backup in Columbus. He was a consensus 4-star recruit out of high school, ranked as high as No. 138 nationally and No. 11 among quarterbacks in the 2023 class.
His high school numbers were eye-popping: over 9,100 passing yards, 104 touchdowns, a 66% completion rate, and another 1,435 yards and 24 scores on the ground. In his final two seasons, he threw 86 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions. That kind of dual-threat production is exactly what Brohm is looking for.
He’s also no stranger to winning. Kienholz was part of the 2025 National Championship team at Ohio State, giving him experience in a high-level program and a winning culture-something Brohm is clearly hoping will translate to Louisville.
The Rest of the Room: Talented, But Chasing
While Kienholz is the headline, he’s not the only new face in the quarterback room. Davin Wydner, a dynamic dual-threat quarterback from West Georgia, brings a different skill set and could be a fascinating developmental piece. Then there’s Briggs Cherry, a 4-star true freshman who’s got the tools to be a future starter.
Brohm spoke highly of both, and it’s clear he likes the depth and versatility the group brings. But when it comes to Week 1 against Ole Miss in Nashville, all signs point to Kienholz being the guy.
This will be Brohm’s fourth straight season turning to the portal for quarterback help, but this time feels different. Kienholz isn’t just a stopgap-he’s a potential long-term answer. With a revamped roster and a new-look offense, the Cardinals are betting big on their new QB1.
And if Kienholz lives up to the hype, Louisville could be one of the more intriguing teams to watch in 2026.