On Thursday night Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner made history when he was selected 4th overall by the New York Jets replacing Greg Cook as the highest Bearcat ever drafted. Cook was selected 5th overall in 1969 by the Cincinnati Bengals and no Bearcat had gotten close to his pick until Sauce did on Thursday night.
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner had a year to remember for the Bearcats. Consensus All-American, earning First Team honors from the Associated Press, AFCA, FWAA and Sporting News. Gardner also was unanimous AAC Defensive Player of the Year and has not given up a touchdown out of his 1,000-plus career coverage snaps with only 13 catches for 117 yards allowed this season. A Jim Thorpe runner up behind his teammate Coby Bryant, Gardner was the leader of a defense that ranks No. 1 nationally in pass efficiency allowed (100.47), fourth in opponent completions (53.5 percent), third in interceptions (18), fifth in TD passes allowed (10) and No. 3 in passing yards allowed (168.3). Gardner made a name for himself from the moment he stepped onto Nippert field, from the crazy pick 6 against UCF at home to the blocked field goal he brought back against ECU this year Sauce made himself an all-time Bearcat with his play and heart. He is going to be an immediate playmaker in the NFL. Sauce is a very large and fast corner that every NFL team drooled over while watching his tape and pro day in Cincinnati. He will immediately step into a backfield that is very young and needs a number one corner. Sauce will take that role and run with it. #BearcatNation should be excited to see him in action this year!
Congrats Ahmad and we are so excited to watch you this upcoming year! Go kill it!!
