Florida’s Cocoa was the place of Chauncey Gardner-birth Johnson’s on December 20, 1997. The NFL uses him as a safety. At Florida, he played collegiate football. The New Orleans Saints selected Gardner-Johnson in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft (105th overall).
Gardner-Johnson participated in the 2016 Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando and was selected to the USA Today All-Florida first team prior to attending Florida. In his senior year, he guided Cocoa, his high school team, to a 10-3 record and the 4A state semifinals.
Gardner-Johnson played in all 13 of Florida’s games during his rookie season and started the team’s final three games against FSU, Alabama, and Iowa. He started the season as a backup defensive back, but by the conclusion, Florida had one of its starting safeties.
With eight special teams tackles, Gardner-Johnson led the Gators as a strong contributor all season long. In all, he made 32 tackles, three pass break-ups, three interceptions (one of which was returned for a score), and one and a half tackles for losses.
Quincy Wilson and he both had three interceptions, which was the second-highest total on the squad.
At Florida State, Gardner-Johnson made his first career start and secured his first career interception. In the SEC Championship Game against Alabama, he recorded a career-high nine tackles.
In the Outback Bowl matchup with Iowa, Gardner-Johnson had two tackles and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a score. Since Kyle Jackson had two interceptions against South Carolina on November 13, 2004, he recorded the first multi-interception game for a Florida freshman.
He joined two-way star Dave Hudson (1958 Gator Bowl), Tony Lilly (1983 Gator Bowl), and Ahmad Black (2011) as the only UF defensive backs to be voted a bowl MVP for their outstanding performances. He was named the Outback Bowl MVP.
Gardner-Johnson joined Emmitt Smith as the only other true freshmen in program history to receive the Bowl MVP Award (1987). He was selected for the All-Bowl Teams of ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and the AP.
Gardner-Johnson participated in all 11 of his games as a sophomore and made all of his starts. A total of 58 tackles, two interceptions, seven pass breakups, 6.0 tackles for loss, and one sack were all part of his stat line. In back-to-back weeks (Nov. 11 vs. South Carolina and Nov. 18 vs. UAB), Gardener-Johnson recorded his interceptions.
Gardner-Johnson was second on the team in tackles behind David Reese and third on the team in passes defended behind Marco Wilson (10) and Duke Dawson (9) (102).
What Teams Did C.J. Gardner-Johnson Play For:
He plays for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL).
What Is C.J. Gardner-Johnson Position?
Gardner is an American football safety for his team.
What Is C.J. Gardner-Johnson Jersey Number?
He wears No. 23 for Philadelphia Eagles.