Former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Lincoln Kienholz finds himself in a bit of a pressure cooker during the 2026 College Football season. ESPN's Max Lederman believes that, as the Louisville Cardinals' likely QB1, Kienholz will be playing for the head coach with the most to prove this year, Jeff Brohm.
Per Lederman, "Louisville's Jeff Brohm isn't under the same level of pressure as the other coaches included in this group. But while the Cardinals have won 28 games over the past three seasons -- second best among Power 4 programs without a CFP appearance over that span -- Brohm & Co. have only a 2023 ACC title game appearance to show for it. A 9-7 conference record since the start of the 2024 campaign has kept Louisville from being anything more than a fleeting, midseason ACC contender the past two years. With an intriguing newcomer under center in Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz and stars returning on both sides of the ball in running back Isaac Brown and defensive lineman Clev Lubin, it's time for Brohm's Cardinals to make a meaningful jump, especially given how wide open the ACC race appears to be behind favorite Miami."
Brohm put himself in somewhat of a precarious position by getting Louisville to the ACC Championship Game during his first season. The conference has gotten stronger, and the Cards are spending to keep up, having doled out just under $10 million in 2025. Unfortunately, top spenders across the sport nearly tripled that. The CFP runner-up Miami Hurricanes were one of those gaudy spenders.
There's a natural ceiling for Brohm, who could probably start looking for bigger jobs if he continues his consistency in Kentucky, within his current seat. There's also a high floor that the university is now expecting. There would be issues on the administration's end if the needle moves in the wrong direction, should enough things not break right this fall.
Lincoln Kienholz can make Ohio State look good with success at Louisville
Buckeye fans should be cheering on Kienholz for more than just sentimental reasons this coming season.
For one, if the Cardinals are good, many will be amazed that Ohio State's planned QB3 this season, had Kienholz not left Columbus, is dominating in the ACC. One would have to think Tavien St. Clair would immediately have a strong interest from around the country next year, beyond what he shows this fall.
Ryan Day has built an incredible machine in Central Ohio. Kienholz could further prove that, should three years in Cbus immediately parlay into Power 4 success.