Ahmad Gardner

Ahmad Gardner has established himself as a top-tier NFL cornerback, achieving multiple accolades early in his professional career. After being named the American Athletic Conference first-team in his true freshman season at Cincinnati in 2019, where he recorded 31 tackles and three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns, Ahmad Gardner cemented his status as a premier collegiate talent. He maintained this elite performance throughout his college career, culminating in his junior year (2021) with consensus All-American honors and the prestigious AAC Defensive Player of the Year award. This pivotal season helped Cincinnati make history as the first Group of Five team to reach the College Football Playoff, solidifying Gardner’s trajectory as a highly anticipated prospect.

This made him only the third defensive player and the sole cornerback in NFL history to achieve such recognition in their first two seasons, further cementing his place among the league’s elite. In 2024, Gardner maintained his role as a starting cornerback for the Jets, contributing 49 combined tackles, one interception for a touchdown, and a sack across 15 games before being placed on injured reserve. His consistent elite play was recognized with a significant four-year, $120.4 million contract extension with the Jets in July 2025, solidifying his long-term commitment to the franchise and his standing as one of the league’s top defensive players.