SB Nation College Football Recruiting
Arkansas' coaches have to be thrilled to land this huge speedster.
Dec 15, 2011 - Courtney Gardner, one of the top JUCO receivers in the country, has committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks. Gardner stars for Rocklin, California's Sierra Community College. He burst onto the recruiting scene this season, and holds offers from many of the top programs in the country, including the Florida State Seminoles.
Gardner is 6'4, 215 pounds, and runs a legitimate sub 4.4-40. Originally from Louisiana, Gardner moved to Reno, Nevada where he starred in high school. There, he dominated in track as a long jumper, winning the 4A-state meet with a 23'5.5" mark.
Here is an evaluation of Gardner from one recruiting analyst:
The first thing you notice about Gardner is he is a man among boys in what is one of the top JUCO leagues in the country (Valley Conference). Extremely explosive and fluid for a size receiver, Gardner resembles Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon. Shows he can outrun players with BCS speed(:31 second mark in film). Gardner's size and speed make him a legitimate deep threat at the next level. Looks like he is running angry when he catches the ball. Shows this same aggression when blocking. Does a great job of making the first man miss. Shows the ability to make the acrobatic catch and does a good job of attacking the football while it's in the air. Gardner will out-muscle smaller corners and run away from bigger ones. Has the potential to become one of the top vertical threats in the country next year, and don't be surprised if he is also used as a kick returner. Physically, he's good enough to crack any starting lineup in the country. The sky is the limit for Gardner.
The coach in charge of recruiting Gardner had known the receiver since high school, when the coach, then at Nevada, was in charge of recruiting Gardner for the Wolfpack.
Gardner is still expected to take an official visit to Florida State in January, so this recruiting saga might not be over.
For more on Arkansas recruiting, check out Arkansas Ex Pats.
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