CINCINNATI, OH — With the 2022 NFL Draft hours away in Las Vegas, the debate on who the first defensive back taken is heating up? Will Cincinnati Bearcats CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner hear his name called first?
Gardner, a 6’3 200-pound Junior out of Detroit, MI quietly developed into one of the nation’s top defensive backs in the country, in helping Cincinnati become the first non-Power 5 program to make it to the College Football Playoff.
While some draft experts have LSU Tigers defensive back Derek Stingley Jr. and Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Kyle Hamilton rated higher and possibly being taken ahead of him, Gardner may be the better prospect based on production and durability.
The AAC Defensive Player of the Year and consensus All-American out of Detroit’s Martin Luther King recorded 35 tackles, three interceptions and four pass breakups, in helping lead the nation’s top defense in pass efficiency allowed (100.47), fourth in opponent completions (53.5 percent), third in interceptions (18), fifth in touchdown passes allowed (10), and third in passing yards allowed with 168.3 yards a game.
According to PFF College, Gardner did not give up a passing touchdown in 1,000-plus snaps in coverage, allowing only 13 catches for 117 yards.
Projected to go as high as No.2 overall to the Detroit Lions, or to the New York Giants at No.5, Gardner could make history as the highest UC player taken out of Cincinnati. Thanks to his nose for the ball and ability to lock down on wideouts, Gardner could help redefine the cornerback position on Sunday’s.
A new-age combination of Richard Sherman, Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie due to his size, instincts and athleticism, Gardner will likely dwarf and smother the receiver he is assigned to, taking away a portion of the field due to his size.
Regardless, look for Gardner to make a big impact, both on Thursday evening and for the team that is fortunate enough to take him.