Justin Dunk
Special to CFL.ca
He was bluntly told that he was too small to play in the OUA on his first day of university training camp. From that day on, Jedd Gardner worked to turn himself into one of the most dangerous players in the CIS with a chance to make every young Canadian football players’ dream come true.
The play-making receiver started his football career playing football for Saint Michael Catholic High School in Niagara Falls. As a speedy receiver in his senior year Gardner caught the eye of university recruiters and was all but set on attending McMaster University to continue his academic and athletic career.
“I was actually pretty set on going to Mac,” said Gardner. “Every day James [Savoie] and Sebastien [Howard] at school would keep bugging me to come to Guelph. I don’t know what clicked, but I just decided I’m going to come with my two buddies to Guelph and honestly it’s been a great decision.”
Gardner’s final decision to attend the University of Guelph turned out to be a great read by the sure handed receiver.
Number 89 for the Gryphons has turned in many highlight reel plays during his four year OUA career. Whenever the speedy receiver has the ball in his hands he makes six points a legitimate possibility, be it on offence or returning punts, kickoffs and missed field goals on special teams. Gardner totaled 3,336 total yards during his Gryphon career and his football skills have not gone unnoticed by CFL scouts.
“It was a great feeling,” Gardner said of receiving his invite to the 2011 CFL Evaluation camp. “I set the bar high for myself so I could accomplish things like being one of the best receivers in the CIS.”
Gardner had a solid 2010 campaign for the Gryphons. The Niagara product snagged 30 balls for 512 yards receiving and found pay dirt five times as well, despite being forced to develop chemistry with a new starting pivot.
Aside from the statistics and trying to mesh with a different passer, Gardner believes he fine tuned his route running skills by moving from his wide-out spot, where he had played for the first three years of his University football career, closer to the quarterback for the 2010 OUA season.
“I moved inside to slotback. Really working on my intermediate routes, “ said Gardner. “I was really getting banged around and it really increased my toughness. Working in a different position broadened what I can do in the CFL.”
Gardner is focused and is currently in full preparation mode in order to show up to E-Camp in peak physical shape.
“As soon as I got the email I called our trainer Chris Munford and we set up workout times to work on my speed, to work on my bench press, to work on my vertical and then on top of all that I have to get together with quarterbacks and defensive backs to do one on ones,” said Gardner.
In one of the marquee events of E-Camp weekend the Gryphon star will be looking to impress CFL brass.
“My one-on-ones are going to be the biggest asset for me going into E-Camp,” said Gardner. “You just want to be successful on every route and take every rep as its own game that you want to win.”
Gardner has had the opportunity to learn from a former Gryphon receiver, Dave McKoy, who made the leap from the CIS to the CFL himself.
“Going into E-Camp it’s hard to know what to expect. I’ve been asking other guys that have gone to Guelph like Mckoy what to expect,” explained Gardner.
The finance major will not be intimidated during his interviews with CFL teams.
“Being in the business program I am already subject to that kind of environment,” said Gardner. “I even had a class on interviews and preparation.”
The speedy receiver is working towards blazing a trail through the physical and mental tests he will face at the CFL Evaluation Camp. If a CFL team asks Gardner what is the best asset he would bring to any football organization?
“Being a game-changer,” Gardiner exclaimed.
