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Sauce Gardner

Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner is an American professional football cornerback.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner (born August 31, 2001) is an American professional football cornerback. He played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats and was selected fourth overall by the New York Jets in the 2022 NFL Draft. He is from Detroit, Michigan.

Early life and college career

Gardner was born in Detroit, Michigan. He played college football at the University of Cincinnati for the Cincinnati Bearcats, where he developed into one of the top defensive backs in college football.

Professional career

Gardner entered the NFL as the fourth overall pick in the 2022 draft, selected by the New York Jets. Later sources list him as a member of the Indianapolis Colts.

Awards and recognition

Gardner was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after his first season. He also earned first-team All-Pro honours as a rookie, becoming the first rookie cornerback since Ronnie Lott in 1981 to achieve this.

Playing style

Gardner is a cornerback known for his size and coverage ability. Statistical profiles describe him as a high-level defender with strong pass-breakup production.

Key facts

  • He is an American professional football cornerback.
  • He played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats.
  • He was selected fourth overall by the New York Jets in the 2022 NFL Draft.
  • He was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
  • He became the first rookie cornerback since Ronnie Lott in 1981 to be named first-team All-Pro.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Sauce Gardner?
Sauce Gardner is the nickname of Ahmad Gardner, an American professional football cornerback.
What college did Sauce Gardner attend?
He played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats at the University of Cincinnati.
When was Sauce Gardner drafted?
He was selected fourth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.
What awards has Sauce Gardner won?
He won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and was named first-team All-Pro as a rookie.
What position does Sauce Gardner play?
He plays cornerback.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauce_Gardner
    Supports: Full name, nickname, birth date, position, college, draft position, awards, and general career summary.
  2. NFL — https://www.nfl.com/players/Sauce-Gardner/
    Supports: Position, team, player profile, height, weight, age, college, and active status.
  3. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4427250/sauce-gardner
    Supports: Team, position, height/weight, birth date, college, and draft information.
  4. Cincinnati Bearcats — https://gobearcats.com/sports/football/roster/player/ahmad-sauce-gardner
    Supports: College career at Cincinnati and major college honours.