Lincoln Kienholz is transferring to Louisville.
The former Ohio State quarterback announced his commitment to the Cardinals on Saturday night, two days after entering the transfer portal.
BREAKING: Ohio State transfer QB Lincoln Kienholz has Committed to Louisville, @On3Sports has learned
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 4, 2026
Repped by @TheFamilie_ , @timvizzi , @schmahula , @bnm_nil https://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/wgYh3d62Pr
Kienholz heads to Louisville after three years as a backup quarterback at Ohio State. He brings two years of eligibility to Louisville.
Kienholz projects as the Cardinals’ likely starting quarterback in 2026. Louisville’s starting quarterback this past season, Miller Moss, is out of eligibility. The Cardinals’ backup quarterback this past season, Deuce Adams, entered the transfer portal.
Kienholz was Ohio State’s No. 2 quarterback behind Julian Sayin this past season, completing 11 of 14 passes for 139 yards and one touchdown while running for 66 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries.
With Sayin set to return for at least one more year as Ohio State’s starting quarterback, Kienholz told Eleven Warriors before the Cotton Bowl that he had discussed the possibility of transferring with Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler, seeking the opportunity to be a starting quarterback in 2026.
“My goal is to go to the NFL, and in order to do that, you gotta play. So I've had conversations with Coach Day and also with Coach Fessler a little bit about it,” Kienholz said.
Kienholz believes his development across three years at Ohio State will set him up for success at Louisville.
“It's definitely helped me,” Kienholz told Eleven Warriors of his time at Ohio State before the Cotton Bowl. “It's helped me just learn a lot just about the position and the speed of the game and just everything that comes with being a quarterback at the highest level. So I think it's gonna help me wherever I go.”
Kienholz is the first player from Ohio State’s 2025 roster to transfer to a new school for the 2026 season.
