Gardner driven to raise his game, boost Gators
GAINESVILLE — Chauncey Gardner can recall the exact moment when things began to change for him.
It was during the team bus ride over to Neyland Stadium as the Florida Gators were getting ready to take on the Tennessee Volunteers in a late September showdown last season. During the trip, he was hit with an epiphany.
“When we came across the bridge, it was like, ‘It’s orange, but it’s not your orange,’ ” said Gardner, a sophomore defensive back.
“All of these fans are here to see Tennessee beat the Gators. They were focused on breaking the streak . ... When we hit the field and opening kickoff ... I was like, ‘Dang, there’s a lot of hate in the stadium.’ ”
While the Gators would go on to lose that game 38-28, it stoked competitive fire that burns bright inside of Gardner.
“I knew it was real and I had to buckle down and dial in even more. I was already dialed in, but I had to do it even more,” he said.
Eventually Gardner would step into the starting safety spot for the team’s final three games after Nick Washington went down with an ankle injury.
Gardner made the most of his time on the field, tallying 17 tackles and three interceptions against Florida State, Alabama and Iowa.
His two interceptions, including one he returned for a 58-yard touchdown, against Iowa in the Outback Bowl earned him MVP honors. He became the first UF defensive back to win an MVP honor at a bowl game.
Now with a little less than a month to go before the start of his sophomore season, Gardner must take on a bigger role in the secondary following the departure of elite defensive backs Jalen Tabor, Quincy Wilson and Marcus Maye.
“I think he really grew up later in the year when he was forced into action and let his play do his talking, and that's the thing that has to continue with him,” UF coach Jim McElwain said. “Here’s what I love about Chauncey: The guy is confident, man, and I’m OK with that.”
Gardner’s confidence came at an early age.
Offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor has known Gardner since they were both 4 years old, first as friends and then as teammates in youth ball, high school and now in college.
“He’s always been a competitive guy. He loves to talk. He just loves the game of football,” Taylor said with a smile.
Gardner’s versatility will be tested after the team lost starting safety Marcell Harris for the season due to a torn Achilles tendon. McElwain said while Gardner can play multiple positions in the secondary, he sees Gardner playing to his strengths.
“We feel comfortable with Chauncey being able to move nickel, safety, corner, but we still want him early in camp to really focus on the corner because he didn't get a bunch of it last year,” McElwain said.
Gators defensive coordinator Randy Shannon said while Gardner can do many things, he doesn’t want to overwhelm him.
“He reminds me a little bit of Antrel Rolle when I had him at Miami in that he can do multiple things,” Shannon said. “But you've got to have him tuned in to what he needs to get done. Don’t try to make him do too much where he’s not successful.”
The NCAA cleared UF freshman wide receiver James Robinson academically, allowing the Lakeland product to join the team during Friday’s practice.
Robinson’s eligibility had been in question since he signed with the Gators Feb. 1 as the team’s top offensive recruit.