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ESPN top 10 returning corners ...nice write-up

Sorry, it's a pay site, but he comes in at #6. Here is the summary

"In just one year, Gardner went from a three-star recruit entering his first college season to one of the best cornerbacks in the game.

Gardner posted an elite 90.0 PFF coverage grade in 2019 that ranked eighth in FBS. He consistently forced tight coverage and rarely lost when he got in position to make a play. In fact, no cornerback had a higher PFF coverage grade in tight coverage than Gardner, and he allowed just six catches on his 35 targets while making 18 total plays on the ball. He is a nightmare for wide receivers -- and he's only going to get better from here."

(04-24-2020 02:50 PM)Teakwood Wrote:  Sorry, it's a pay site, but he comes in at #6. Here is the summary

"In just one year, Gardner went from a three-star recruit entering his first college season to one of the best cornerbacks in the game.

Gardner posted an elite 90.0 PFF coverage grade in 2019 that ranked eighth in FBS. He consistently forced tight coverage and rarely lost when he got in position to make a play. In fact, no cornerback had a higher PFF coverage grade in tight coverage than Gardner, and he allowed just six catches on his 35 targets while making 18 total plays on the ball. He is a nightmare for wide receivers -- and he's only going to get better from here."

What a find he was. I don't think anyone could have predicted the breakout freshman year he had. He'll probably be gone after his junior year, but I'm okay with that. Putting guys in the NFL is great for building the program.

He's the exact type of guy that we need to find and get.

Anyone with a knack for scouting have an idea where he might eventually get drafted? Big corner (6'2") who doesn't seem to have elite speed, but his coverage is absolutely phenomenal so he must have terrific footwork or something. Also has terrific instincts, which led to both of those pick sixes. Typically guys who jump on routes like that tend to get burned deep later on, but I can't recall any plays where that happened.

Gardner only led the AAC with 5 interceptions. And two pick sixes.

After the game with his first pick six, Gardner said that James Wiggins
told him how to play the WR.

(04-24-2020 03:52 PM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  Anyone with a knack for scouting have an idea where he might eventually get drafted? Big corner (6'2") who doesn't seem to have elite speed, but his coverage is absolutely phenomenal so he must have terrific footwork or something. Also has terrific instincts, which led to both of those pick sixes. Typically guys who jump on routes like that tend to get burned deep later on, but I can't recall any plays where that happened.

Given that there are still two years before that discussion even really becomes possible, if not plausible, it's extremely hard to say. I'd say that he has built about the most solid foundation possible in a freshman campaign, now he needs to follow it up with more of the same next year as the second CB (he'll play boundary as Coby seems to run better as the field corner, unless they decide to play match-ups instead of a static corners), and it'll really begin to solidify in his junior year once Coby graduates.

Will Wiggins play this year?