Sauce Gardner reveals three toughest wide receivers he guarded in college

After going No. 4 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, cornerback Sauce Gardner opened up about the toughest wide receivers he guarded while at Cincinnati. The new New York Jet faced a lot of top talent as he helped the Bearcats reach the College Football Playoff.

“I’ve got beaten before, nobody’s perfect,” Gardner told the media at his introductory press conference. “Best receivers I guarded are probably Jameson Williams, Calvin Austin, I remember I guarded Garrett (Wilson) in like the fourth quarter in my freshman year of college.”

Alabama star Jameson Williams, selected eight spots after Gardner by the Detroit Lions, posted seven receptions for 62 yards versus the Bearcats in the Cotton Bowl.

Calvin Austin, out of Memphis, is now with the Pittsburgh Steelers after going No. 138 overall in the fourth round. He had two 1,000-plus yard seasons for the Tigers, including a seven-catch, 121-yard performance versus Gardner’s squad.

Ohio State star Garrett Wilson is now Gardner’s teammate after coming off the board at No. 10 overall.

Gardner established himself as one of the best defensive backs in the country by not giving up a single touchdown in his collegiate career. His story gained national attention as the Bearcats went undefeated in the regular season to make the CFP versus Alabama.

Known by his nickname, “Sauce,” Ahmad Gardner finished his college career with 99 tackles, nine interceptions and 16 pass deflections. When teams managed to complete passes against him, he held receivers to just 6.6 yards per reception as a junior.

Gardner signs massive rookie deal

The New York Jets are on the hook for a lot of money for their new rookie cornerback. Sauce Gardner signed a four-year deal worth a fully-guaranteed $33.45 million. The deal comes with a fifth-year option for the team to keep him in New York through the 2026 season.

A former three-star recruit in the class of 2019, Garnder was the No. 1,574 overall player in the nation per the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. The Detroit, Michigan native also ranked as the No. 151 cornerback and No. 43 player in his home state after playing at Martin Luther King High School.