Louisville football has bolstered its roster by adding former Ohio State backup quarterback Lincoln Kienholz from the transfer portal. This acquisition was confirmed through Kienholz’s Instagram bio, and it marks an optimistic step for the Cardinals as they prepare for the 2026 season.
Kienholz, a four-star recruit during the 2023 recruiting cycle and ranked as the No. 15 overall quarterback according to 247Sports, brings significant potential to the team. The South Dakota native saw limited action at Ohio State, playing in three games during his freshman year where he completed 10 of 22 passes for 111 yards. In 2025, he competed for the starting role but ultimately lost to Julian Sayin, who earned a spot as a Heisman finalist. Despite this, Kienholz displayed his skills across seven games, throwing for 139 yards and a touchdown with an impressive completion rate of 78.6%.
Kienholz’s addition is particularly notable as it provides Louisville with a quarterback who has two years of eligibility remaining, in contrast to previous transfer quarterbacks who only had one year left. The Cardinals have experienced a series of roster changes, losing starter Miller Moss to graduation and several other players to the transfer portal. Kienholz is now set to step into the QB1 role, continuing a trend of Louisville starting a transfer portal quarterback for the fourth consecutive year.
This move follows the Cardinals’ earlier addition of former Kentucky cornerback DJ Waller, Jr., further indicating a strategic approach to enhancing the team’s competitiveness. Additionally, Louisville has signed quarterback Briggs Cherry from the 2026 high school recruiting class, showcasing their commitment to building a robust future for the program.
The arrival of Kienholz brings with it renewed hope for the upcoming season, as the Cardinals aim to solidify their performance and create a solid foundation for their football program moving forward.