Cincinnati's Gardner declares for NFL draft after 3 seasons

All-American cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner will bypass his senior season at Cincinnati and enter the 2022 NFL Draft, he told Yahoo Sports' Pete Thamel.

"My work at Cincinnati is done," Gardner said. "I came in and did everything I was supposed to do. I listened to everything the coaches were telling me to do to get in a better position to take care of my family."

Gardner co-anchored the Bearcats' heralded secondary alongside senior cornerback Coby Bryant. The 21-year-old could become the first Cincinnati player to go in the opening round of the NFL draft since 1971 when the Detroit Lions selected defensive lineman Bob Bell.

"I really think he's going to be a better pro," Bearcats head coach Luke Fickell said. "Even where he went from last year to this year, in his body and his ability to be a pro, take care of himself, work the game a little more, and change his body. I think he's going to grow more. A (coach) who is going to play more coverages is going to play to his strength. He's a really smart football player."

Gardner didn't surrender a touchdown at Cincinnati and finishes his college career with nine interceptions - three each year. A consensus All-American in 2021, he helped the Bearcats reach the College Football Playoff, where they fell to Alabama in the semifinals.