Cardinals countdown highlights Louisville's retired jerseys and new players
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 21, 2026, 11:30 AM
Last updated Aug 21, 2026

As the Louisville Cardinals prepare for the upcoming football season, the countdown reaches 16 days until kickoff. This year, no player is wearing jersey number 16, reserved for the late Johnny Unitas, one of only two retired jerseys at Louisville. Despite modest statistics during his college years, Unitas is remembered for his leadership and athleticism. The program has also recently added several new players to its roster: Bode Shoaps, Garth White, Niall Hayes, Bryten Close, Drew Kegebein, Max Merz, Garion McPherson, Marlon Harbin, and Jordan Gervais. These additions may impact the team's dynamics as they approach the season opener.
- •Countdown reaches 16 days until kickoff
- •Johnny Unitas' jersey number 16 is retired
- •Louisville adds several new players to roster
- •Newcomers include Bode Shoaps and Garth White
- •Team prepares for season opener ahead
- 11:30 AMYahoo Sports — ‘The Cardinal Countdown: 16 Days Until Kickoff’
"Cardinals History By The Numbers No one on the Louisville Football team is wearing #16 this year, nor will they ever, as Johnny Unitas is just one of two Louisville jerseys to be officially retired. While his stat line at Louisville wasn’t blowing people away, his leadership and raw athleticism was enough to land him […]
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