Lincoln Kienholz, who spent three seasons with Ohio State, said Louisville’s recent history of developing transfer quarterbacks was a key factor in his decision to leave the Buckeyes and join the Cardinals earlier this year.
Transfer-friendly environment drew him to Louisville
Speaking at ACC media days on July 16, Kienholz pointed to the Cardinals’ run of starting signal-callers who arrived via the transfer portal as an important part of his evaluation. Under coach Jeff Brohm, Louisville has installed a string of transfer quarterbacks as starters in consecutive seasons, and several have posted significant passing totals or drawn NFL attention.
“That’s something I took into account when I was making my decision,”
At Ohio State, Kienholz was a backup to Julian Sayin and appeared in 10 games across the 2023–25 seasons. He threw for a total of 250 yards and one touchdown in that span and was used in short-yardage situations, including touchdown runs against Minnesota and Purdue. He also redshirted in 2023, leaving him with two additional years of eligibility.
Brohm’s quarterback pedigree
Brohm’s résumé as a quarterback coach — stretching back to his playing days at Louisville and through stops at Purdue — figured into Kienholz’s choice. Recent Louisville starters who arrived from other programs have posted notable numbers and, in one case, reached the NFL.
- Jack Plummer — 3,000+ passing yards during his year with Louisville.
- Tyler Shough — more than 3,000 yards, honorable mention All-ACC, later a second-round NFL pick.
- Miller Moss — threw for 2,679 yards and 16 touchdowns last season.
Those examples helped persuade Kienholz that joining Louisville could accelerate his development and professional prospects. He credited his time at Ohio State for instilling a rigorous approach to preparation and leadership that he hopes to carry into his new role.
The move also continues a broader trend in college football, where programs willing to integrate transfer quarterbacks can quickly reshape their offense and roster. For Ohio State, Kienholz’s departure underscores the depth of talent on hand and the competitive nature of quarterback battles in top programs. For Louisville, adding a former Big Ten backup with mobility and two years of eligibility strengthens competition for the starting job and maintains the Cardinals’ recent pattern of turning portal additions into immediate contributors.
| Player | Year at Louisville | Passing yards |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Plummer | 2023 | 3,000+ |
| Tyler Shough | 2024 | 3,000+ |
| Miller Moss | 2025 | 2,679 |
Kienholz spoke of learning from teammates and competitors at Ohio State, including watching the preparation and standards set by the program’s quarterbacks. Those lessons, he said, shaped his approach as he pursues a larger role in Louisville’s offense.
With two seasons to play, Kienholz will be part of a quarterback competition in Louisville that draws attention statewide and nationally as the Cardinals aim to sustain their recent success with portal quarterbacks.
