WATCH: Chauncey Gardner UA jersey presentation
Chauncey Gardner became the latest future Florida Gator to receive his Under Armour All-America Game jersey, as the American Family Insurance jersey tour stopped at Cocoa (Florida) High School on Wednesday.
"It was great. I appreciate everyone coming out," Gardner said, singling out friends, family, teammates and students. "This is a great honor."
On the recruiting trail, Gardner honored the Florida Gators with a verbal commitment back in March, though that didn't come without its twist and turns. Gardner originally committed to Miami two years ago, then flipped his commitment to Florida in the summer of 2014. This past January, Gardner pulled away from that commitment, but re-entered the class in mid-March.
While there could be several more twists between now and signing day -- Gardner has taken an official visit to Georgia and has four more ahead of him -- he wasted no time in giving the status of his commitment to Florida.
"It's 100 percent," Gardner said, adding that he's liked what he's seen from the Gators this fall.
"Toughness," he said. "I plan on seeing them stay undefeated, winning the SEC and maybe the national championship ... Trust me. They're good."
Gardner plans to visit Notre Dame for the rivalry game against USC in mid-October, Alabama for its showdown against LSU in early November and Florida for its massive season finale against Florida State. He said plans to visit Ohio State have been altered and instead he's looking to set up an official visit to Syracuse for a Nov. 14 game against Clemson.
Seven questions with Chauncey Gardner
What is your earliest football memory?
"Playing in Little League, we won the "Super Bowl." It was fourth-and-one and we had to stop them. I remember me and the other linebacker didn't even do our assignments. We just blitzed up the middle and got a stop. I always remember that play."
What player did you idolize growing up?
"Barry Sanders and Deion Sanders. I remember playing old Maddens. Everybody wanted to be those two guys."
If you could take on any professional athlete in their sport, who would it be?
"Tiger Woods. Everybody thinks golf is easy, but it isn't. He's still the best in the world to me, so I'd like to play a round with him."
What player are you most looking forward to playing with or against at the UA All-America Game?
"I'm looking forward to playing with [Florida State commit] Levonta Taylor. He's a great competitor and we talk every couple of weeks or so."
If you could start a team with any 2016 recruit, who would it be?
"I'd probably take [Miami commit] Jawaan Taylor, a lineman from my school. You can't win games without that line. He knows his assignments and he's a great guy to be around."
Why do you wear your number (3)?
"I've been wearing three ever since I was three. It's also because that was Allen Iverson's number."
What is one thing people might not know about you?
"I go fishing a lot. We catch bass, catfish, tilapia. All the stuff down here in Florida."