Lincoln Kienholz Brings a New Dimension to Louisville’s Offense Under Jeff Brohm
Louisville fans know what an elite mobile quarterback looks like - Lamar Jackson made sure of that. But in the Jeff Brohm era, the quarterback position has leaned more toward the traditional pocket passer. That’s about to change.
Enter Lincoln Kienholz, the Ohio State transfer who’s poised to take over as Louisville’s starting quarterback for the 2026 season. And he’s not your typical Brohm QB. Kienholz brings a dual-threat skill set that could reshape the look and feel of the Cardinals’ offense - and Brohm isn’t hiding his excitement.
“I definitely feel like Lincoln brings us a dimension we have not had here before,” Brohm said. “He’s a very good athlete. He shows that every day.”
At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, Kienholz has the frame to take hits and the speed to avoid them. He’s not just mobile - he’s explosive.
Brohm pointed out that even in team conditioning drills, Kienholz is often leading the pack. That’s not just a nice anecdote - it’s a signal of the kind of athleticism that can translate into game-breaking plays on Saturdays.
Now, let’s be clear: Kienholz’s college passing résumé is still developing. He threw just 14 passes last season for Ohio State, completing 11 of them for 139 yards and a touchdown.
But those numbers don’t tell the full story. He also ran for 66 yards and two scores, and more importantly, he showed flashes of the kind of dynamic playmaking that Brohm believes can be a real weapon.
“He wants to run the ball as well,” Brohm said. “You’ve got to make sure you get your quarterback through the season healthy … but that is going to be a strength - his ability to run and escape. And maybe a few more designed runs as well.”
That’s a notable shift for Brohm, who’s traditionally built his offenses around quarterbacks who win with their arm first. But with Kienholz, he’s got a player who can extend plays, escape pressure, and pick up first downs with his legs - all while developing into the kind of passer Brohm has historically molded into NFL talent.
That development piece is key. Brohm’s track record with quarterbacks is well-established.
Just look at Tyler Shough, who played under Brohm in 2024, became a second-round pick of the New Orleans Saints, and went on to start nine games as an NFL rookie. Brohm knows how to prepare quarterbacks for the next level - and now he’s got one with a different kind of toolbox.
Kienholz isn’t starting from scratch, either. He played in 10 games over three seasons at Ohio State, including a high-pressure appearance in the 2023 Cotton Bowl when he stepped in for an injured starter.
In 2025, he came up short in a fierce quarterback competition against Julian Sayin - a Heisman finalist - but stayed the course. That experience, even as a backup, adds polish and perspective.
“He's had to sit back and watch and learn, which is not a lot of fun as a backup quarterback,” Brohm said. “He knows his time is now.”
And that time comes with a pretty impressive foundation. Kienholz was a four-star recruit out of T.F.
Riggs High School in South Dakota, where he didn’t just break records - he rewrote the state’s history books. Over 9,100 passing yards, 104 touchdowns, nearly 1,500 rushing yards and 24 scores as a senior.
He was a three-sport athlete and a three-time state title game MVP. Originally committed to Washington, he flipped to Ohio State and became just the second player ever from South Dakota to sign with the Buckeyes.
Now, with two years of eligibility remaining, he’s not just a stopgap for Louisville - he’s a potential cornerstone.
“Does he have the experience and has he played on the field as much? No,” Brohm said.
“But he's been in a great program. He's learned under great coaches and a great team.
He's been around a winning team and how that works, and I think he'll do a really good job.”
Kienholz also headlines what’s shaping up to be a revamped Louisville quarterback room. West Georgia transfer Davin Wydner brings experience and maturity, while freshman Briggs Cherry has already turned heads in early workouts with his arm talent and football IQ.
“Davin played a lot of football at West Georgia. He's done a good job to this point, coming in here as well,” Brohm said.
“We’ve got Briggs Cherry, a true freshman coming in that we think is an outstanding talent that has a really bright future. He can throw the football, has got great savvy.
He's done an excellent job through the first month as well.”
While the competition will continue through spring and into fall camp, there’s no doubt who has the inside track. Kienholz is the presumed starter, and he’s not just looking to manage games - he’s looking to elevate the offense.
For a Louisville program that’s seen plenty of quarterback turnover in recent years, Kienholz offers something different - and potentially something special. A quarterback who can make plays with his feet, grow into a high-level passer, and lead a Brohm offense into uncharted territory.
This isn’t just a new chapter for Louisville football. It might be the start of a new identity.