ORLANDO — Florida Gators cornerback commit Chauncey Gardner (5-11, 190, Cocoa, FL High) is one of the louder guys at the Under Armour All-American game this week but he’s also learning a lot from the week.
Gardner, who has learned a lot this week from former NFL pro bowler Deion Sanders, hopes to continue to improve this spring once he arrives in Gainesville on Monday morning.
“Ball out and focus on getting better and adjust to the speed,” Gardner said of spring goals. “I’ve been playing all over the defensive backfield since the sixth grade so it isn’t a challenge at all to adjust to positions. I can play all over the field and I have to do what I can to help the team win.”
The Cocoa commit has enjoyed his recruitment but he knows that on Monday a new chapter of his life starts and it’s a serious time for him.
“I’m excited to enroll but I’m not living in the spotlight,” he said. “When I get there all of the fun stuff is going to be over with because you’re there for business and not fun. Coach isn’t going to be checking on me every three seconds so I have to do what I’m supposed to do.”
Not only has Gardner enjoyed the recruiting process but he has also been a major recruiter for the Gators and he says that he one simple message for the prospects.
“I tell players that they need to go see Florida for themselves,” Gardner said of his message to players. “I can’t tell them how they will like the school, I can only speak for Chauncey Gardner but I tell the guys to come up and see the place and let us know if they like it or don’t like. If they don’t like it we have to change it up so they like it the next time.”
Gardner will still be a big time recruiter on campus and he may have a recommendation for future prospects on what’s the best part of the recruiting grind.
“Eating the food was the best part of the recruiting cycle,” he said. “Coach McElwain had the best food because he fed me steak and shrimp. He also had lobster.”