Post by stonedinvestor on Dec 30, 2021 8:25:41 GMT -5
Cornerbacks
Derek Stingley Jr., LSU.
Kaiir Elam, Florida.
Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson.
Roger McCreary, Auburn.
Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati.<----------
Trent McDuffie, Washington.
Derion Kendrick, Georgia.
Storm Duck, North Carolina. <--------------
Since youth football, Gardner has gone by the nickname “Sauce.” That makes him seem loud and flashy, and he wears a necklace that bears his nickname. That name captures who he is on the field. He “has the ability to keep the room loose, keep the defense loose [and] make sure we have fun as we’re preparing like professionals,” defensive coordinator Mike Tressel said. But Gardner’s mom, who calls her youngest child by his given name, says he’s the quietest of her three kids. Gardner is “more of a silent killer,” his older brother, Allante, said.
As a junior this year, Gardner has had limited opportunities to build splashy stats. According to Pro Football Focus, Gardner has been targeted 36 times, giving up just 117 yards on 17 catches. Only Indiana and East Carolina attempted passes to receivers covered by Gardner more than three times. For comparison, Coby Bryant, the Bearcats’ other standout cornerback, has allowed 442 yards on 31 catches out of 70 passes targeted to his receivers. Bryant recently won the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the best defensive back in college football each year, and with him and Gardner, the Bearcats have a formidable pair of cornerbacks.
Even with just three interceptions this season, Gardner earned first-team all-American honors from multiple outlets, including the Associated Press. (Bryant landed on the AP second team.) Gardner’s value lies in what he eliminates — receiving options and scoring opportunities. Through three seasons at Cincinnati and more than 1,000 snaps in coverage, Gardner has never allowed a touchdown, according to Pro Football Focus.
