Gardner earns Outback Bowl MVP honors in stellar finish to freshman season
TAMPA | When Chauncey Gardner arrived at Florida as an early enrollee for the 2016 spring semester, the Rivals100 standout was considered by many as the next great talent to follow in a line of successful Gators defensive backs.
Now with his 2016 season wrapped up, Gardner certainly figures to be the long-term impact player many expected him to be in the secondary.
The 5-foot-11, 204-pound Gardner, a Cocoa, Florida, native, has been relied upon heavily by the Gators down the stretch this year – and his versatility, athleticism, and physicality have been a boost for the secondary.
After playing primarily at safety in the spring, Gardner moved over to cornerback in the fall to help provide depth. Eventually, he found a role at nickelback for much of the season and served a contributing role while defensive backs like Jalen “Teez” Tabor, Quincy Wilson, Duke Dawson, Marcus Maye, Nick Washington and Marcell Harris saw the majority of the reps.
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Then, the safety position took a toll when Maye (arm) and Washington (ankle) went down with injuries. Soon, Gardner found himself back to his prior role at safety – this time as a true freshman starter against the likes of FSU, Alabama and Iowa.
Gardner’s recent play has the Florida football program beaming about his potential and the promise he brings to the table for the upcoming years. Through his first 10 contests, Gardner recorded 15 tackles. In the past three games, Gardner has logged 17 tackles and three interceptions as a starter.
He put an exclamation point on his freshman year with a stellar performance against Iowa on Monday, where he notched two interceptions – including a pick-six – and earned Outback Bowl MVP honors.
“I loved my first season. I love being part of the Gator program,” Gardner said Monday at the podium, in his first time speaking to the media all year. “I learned a lot from the older guys, Tabor, Marcus Maye, Joey Ivie. I learned from the D-linemen because you've got to think about it, without the D-linemen, anything could happen. You've got to have a rush. Without the linebackers, without any gaps being filled, it's going to be kind of hectic out there. Without the DB's, everybody - it's a bond, so we all come together. We're a family, we're brothers, and go out there to have fun.”
Gardner had plenty of fun Monday, starting with his first interception on Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard that he returned 58 yards for a touchdown to give the Gators a comfortable 24-3 lead with 14:44 left. On the play, Gardner saw the ball fall in his direction after a hit by Duke Dawson on an Iowa receiver saw it bounce off of the wideout’s hands. Gardner wouldn’t be caught, as he raced down the left sideline for the score while using his downfield blocks.
“I was really looking for my D-linemen because I needed some blockers,” Gardner said. “Without our D-lineman blocking, that wouldn't have been a pick six. They got the pressure. They caused the play, so that pick six is on them. That's their pick six, it's not mine, and I want to thank them guys again.”
Gardner would then pick off Beathard again two possessions later, setting up an Eddy Pineiro field goal from 25 yards out to lift the Gators to a 24-point advantage.
“Chauncey is a heck of a player,” Florida head coach Jim McElwain said. “If he'd slow down and listen every now and then, he'd make those plays more often, and he knows I'm saying that because I love him. You know, he was part of that recruiting class that jumped in here, came in here early, and you know what, made a huge difference this year for us, especially with all the injuries."
Added Harris: “It was very impressive. For a freshman to come out and have the game he had, it was remarkable.”
Moving forward, it’s unclear at what primary position Gardner will make his impact for Florida – staying at safety or moving back to cornerback. Regardless, the Gators are excited about what he’ll bring to the secondary in 2017 and onward.
“You look at him. If he’s comfortable where he’s at, then you can leave him,” Harris said. "He can be an all-around player, he has a lot of attributes to himself. He did a great job.”
Added Gardner: “If things break down I want to be the guy that says, ‘Hey, we've got to pick it up.’ … That's what I've got to do next year, just feel like it's a bigger role. It's just another step of getting better and improving as a player.”
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