Lincoln Kienholz QB Louisville |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #3 PLAY STYLE: Mobile Pocket Passer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.71 seconds (75%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #3 | |
| PLAY STYLE: Mobile Pocket Passer | |
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.71 seconds (75%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
79.8 / 100
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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82% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Release Speed: |
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79% |
| Short Passing: |
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76% |
| Medium Passing: |
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80% |
| Long Passing: |
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95% |
| Rush/Scramble: |
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74% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#249
Position rank:
#19 (QB)
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| College Games: 15 College Snaps: 622 | ||
ESPN RATING: 79/100
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247 RATING: 94/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Michael Pratt - Tulane |
|
87% |
| Luke Altmyer - Illinois |
|
82% |
| Jordan Travis - Florida State |
|
79% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Lincoln Kienholz left T.F. Riggs High School in Pierre as South Dakota's career passing leader with 9,100 yards, winning three straight state titles and the MVP award in all three title games. He was also an all-state basketball player and a standout pitcher, and he flipped his commitment from Washington to Ohio State.Kienholz redshirted in 2023, playing in the Cotton Bowl, and spent the next two seasons as a backup in Columbus, completing 11 of 14 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown in 2025. He transferred to Louisville in January 2026.
In his first college start, he passed for 307 yards and two scores in a 41-38 loss to Ole Miss on 6 September, the first 300-yard opener by a Louisville quarterback. He threw for 310 yards and ran 82 yards for a score in the 34-26 win at Syracuse, and went 20 of 28 for 250 yards and two touchdowns in the 52-24 win over Stanford.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Pushes the ball downfield, averaging nearly 10 yards per attempt
- Dangerous runner, with 11 rushing touchdowns and an 82-yard score at Syracuse
- Threw for 307 yards in his first start against Ole Miss
- Accurate in rhythm, completing two of every three throws
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Ball security is an issue, with four fumbles this season
- Two interceptions at Syracuse showed how his aggressive throws can backfire
- Took 13 sacks, at times holding the ball too long under pressure
- Just one year as a starter after two seasons on the Ohio State bench
- Has eligibility left as a redshirt junior and may stay in school
Scouting Report: Summary
Kienholz has given Louisville a dual-threat starter who can change a game with his arm or his legs. He throws an aggressive, accurate deep ball, completes about two thirds of his passes and has 11 rushing touchdowns, including the 82-yard run at Syracuse. His debut against Ole Miss showed he does not shrink from a big stage.However, he is still learning to protect the ball. He has four fumbles, took 13 sacks and threw two interceptions at Syracuse, and he is still new to starting. Another year in college is also an option for him.
Overall, Kienholz is a talented athlete whose decision-making is still catching up with his tools. He projects as a priority free agent developmental quarterback, with more to gain from another season as a starter.
How other scouting services rate Lincoln Kienholz (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
222.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
20.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.