Louisville football added multiple notable players this offseason, including their future starting quarterback, Lincoln Kienholz. The 4-star Ohio State transfer is one of the Cardinals' top additions from the Transfer Portal this offseason, and while he hasn’t had much game-time experience at the college level, he has high expectations.
The Cardinals' newest quarterback just signed an eye-popping deal with Louisville’s sponsor, Adidas. The Cardinals quarterback is one of many college athletes who have signed with adidas as the organization continues its push with college athletes.
Louisville's Lincoln Kienholz inks a six-figure deal with adidas
Since Jeff Brohm arrived at Louisville, Brohm continues to build this organization and the culture with Louisville football. Kienholz is a big-time get for Louisville, and the eye-popping six-figure deal with Adidas proves that.
Louisville QB Lincoln Kienholz has inked a six-figure NIL deal with adidas, per @PeteNakos pic.twitter.com/VJgByQLIFE
— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) July 16, 2026
With Brohm being named as the quarterback whisperer, Kienholz is expected to be Brohm’s next elite QB1. Last year, the Cardinals didn’t get what they had hoped from USC transfer Miller Moss, but in the first two years with Brohm, Louisville had 3,000-plus passing yards quarterbacks in second-round pick Tyler Shough, and in 2023, it was Jack Plummer.
Now, Kienholz comes to Louisville from Ohio State, and he is making some big-time money. The former Buckeye has an NIL valuation of $2 million, according to On3 Sports, and with Louisville’s history at quarterback with Brohm, the Cardinals faithful hope Kienholz is worth every penny.
Before coming to Louisville, Kienholz spent his first three seasons with Ohio State. The former 4-star quarterback has shown he has the potential to be an elite quarterback at this level, as he competed for the starting job this past year against Julian Sayin, but Sayin ultimately won the battle and had a Heisman finalist season.
At Ohio State, Kienholz completed 21 of his 36 career passes for 250 yards and one touchdown. The Cardinals' starting quarterback also has the ability to use his legs and run, as he rushed for 68 yards and two touchdowns.
Kienholz is a former 4-star recruit who ranked as high as No. 172 overall in the 2023 recruiting class and No. 11 among quarterbacks. He committed to Louisville, ranked as a 4-star transfer in the portal, and was No. 160 overall and No. 18 among quarterbacks.
Despite Kienholz not having much college football experience, his six-figure deal with adidas and $2 million NIL valuation give Louisville fans confidence that he is poised for a breakout year with the Cardinals.
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