Gardner of SHS looks forward to playing college football at home
It didn’t take long for the recruiting process to begin and end for Starkville High receiver Cameron Gardner.
During the spring, Gardner took a visit to hometown Mississippi State and a month later found himself with an offer from the Bulldogs. Shortly after, he had fulfilled a lifelong dream of getting a chance to play in the Southeastern Conference and close to home.
“For me and my family, it was the best decision,” Gardner said of his MSU commitment. “My grand mom and granddad want to see me so if I stay at home, they don’t have to go anywhere. It’s going to be a very special feeling because I’ve been dreaming of playing college football and getting an education.”
For the first time since his commitment, Gardner was working with new tight ends coach D.J. Looney at the annual Big Dawg Camp at Davis Wade Stadium recently. It was a chance to get back to his future school and play on his future home field, but also a chance to learn more as a player under his future position coach.
“It was a great experience because I’ve never done that before with him,” Gardner said of his work with Looney. “I learned some new things so it was a fun.”
The work was much needed for Gardner who enters his senior season at SHS needing to make an impact for coach Chris Jones’ squad.
Last season Gardner produced 21 catches for 213 yards and three touchdowns. He’s hoping to have an even bigger year than that when his Yellowjackets take the field at the end of August.
“I’ve been working on the things I need to work on,” Gardner said. “This offseason was probably my best through high school because I worked harder than I ever have. I want to have an unbelievable senior year with incredible stats this year.
“I think we’re going to go to State. Since we didn’t make it last year, we’re hungrier and more determined to prove everybody wrong.
The 247Sports Composite three-star recruit said that he’s trimmed his weight down to 216 pounds and is standing 6-foot-4 as training camp starts on Monday for the Jackets. He’ll be working at wide receiver for SHS but is expected to be a tight end on the next level.