16 January 2023 , 00:54
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New York Jets superstar Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner has confirmed that he will return to college to complete his final year of studies, as he plans to take summer classes in order to complete his degree.
With the way the rookie played this season, it's unlikely that Gardner will need it, after being named to the All-Pro First-team, becoming the first cornerback in 41 years to do so as he dominated from day one after being selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2022 draft.
Gardner is already seen as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, a rarity for a player in that position to impress from the get-go as he has. And whilst Gardner will preparing to improve on his incredible rookie season during his work throughout the summer, it's clear that he has other big plans to strive towards throughout the next few months.
He tweeted: "Even though I had a 3.5 cumulative GPA after my 3rd year in college, I never got to get my degree because I wanted to leave early & pursue my dream of playing in the NFL…… With that being said, I’m back enrolled in classes and on course to graduate in the summer."
Gardner had been apart of one of the better college defences in 2021, and lead the Bearcats to a National Championship semi-final appearances, where they were defeated by Alabama. Gardner, along with Coby Bryant, who was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks, formed one of the best cornerback duo's in college football.
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But his superior athletic ability forced him to leave school after three years, rather than the traditional four, needed to complete your studies.
Sauce Gardner had an incredible rookie year (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)After a standout first season with the Jets, Gardner would receive 43 first-place votes for the All-Pro and landed on the first time. In doing so, he became the first rookie since Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, who made the All-Pro team in his rookie season in 1981.
Gardner told the AP: "That's a big deal to me. It was one of my goals before training camp. It's something I pray for. I worked so hard for it. It's a true blessing for sure."
He added on his Twitter page: "First Rookie CB to get 1st Team All-Pro for the first time in 41 years… Thank you God. None of this would be possible without you and the great group of guys on our defense; especially the D-LINE. This for Detroit. Product of Detroit King Highschool."