C.J. Gardner-Johnson

BIOGRAPHY

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson was born December 20, 1997, in Cocoa, Florida. He is a safety in the National Football League.

He played college football at Florida. Gardner-Johnson was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round (105th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.Prior to Florida, Gardner-Johnson played in the 2016 Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando and was named to USA Today’s All-Florida first team. He led his high school team, Cocoa, to a 10-3 record and reached the 4A state semifinals in his senior year. During his freshman year, Gardner-Johnson appeared in all 13 games and started Florida’s final three contests against FSU, Alabama and Iowa. He began the season the season as a reserve defensive back but ended Florida’s season as one its starting safeties. Gardner-Johnson led the Gators with eight special teams tackles, as he was a key member on special teams throughout the season. He totaled 32 tackles, three pass break-ups, three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and a half tackle-for-loss. His three interceptions tied with Quincy Wilson for the second most on the team. Gardner-Johnson grabbed his first-career interception at Florida State, while making his first-career start. He tallied a career-high nine tackles against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. Gardner-Johnson recorded two tackles and two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) in the Outback Bowl against Iowa. He tallied the first multi-interception game by a Florida freshman since Nov. 13, 2004 when Kyle Jackson had two picks against South Carolina. He was named the Outback Bowl MVP for his standout performance as he joined two-way standout Dave Hudson (1958 Gator Bowl), Tony Lilly (1983 Gator) and Ahmad Black (2011 Outback) as the only UF defensive backs to be named a bowl MVP. Gardner-Johnson became the second true freshman in program history to win a Bowl MVP Award, joining Emmitt Smith (1987). He was named to ESPN’s, Sports Illustrated’s and the AP’s All-Bowl Team.

During his sophomore year, Gardner-Johnson played and started in all 11 games. He totaled 58 tackles, two interceptions, seven pass breakups, 6.0 tackles-for-loss and one sack. Gardenr-Johnson recorded his interceptions against South Carolina (Nov. 11) and UAB (Nov. 18) in back-to-back weeks. Gardner-Johnson ranked third on the team behind Marco Wilson (10) and Duke Dawson (9) in passes defended and second on the team in tackles behind David Reese (102).

As a junior, Gardner-Johnson played in all 13 games and started 12. He totaled 71 tackles, four interceptions (two returned for a touchdown), two pass break-ups, nine tackles-for-loss, three sacks and two quarterback hurries. His four INTs ranked tied for 16th in the country and tied for second in the SEC. After he snagged a pair of interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against Michigan, Gardner-Johnson was named Defensive MVP. Also, for his efforts he garnered AP All-Bowl Team honors. Gardner-Johnson notched his other interception returned for a touchdown on the first play of Florida’s contest against Idaho. He was a member of a group that helped UF lead the nation in fourth quarter opponent passing efficiency (66.25) and rank second nationally in fourth quarter opponent completion percentage (40.5).

Gardner-Johnson ended his collegiate career with 37 games played, nine interceptions, three INT returns for touchdowns, 12 pass breakups, 161 total tackles, 15.5 tackles-for-loss and four sacks. He declared for the NFL Draft after his junior season.

On August 30th, 2022, Gardner-Johnson was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles by the New Orleans Saints after extension talks broke down. He started the first 11 games before suffering a lacerated kidney in Week 12. He was placed on injured reserve on December 3, 2022, leading the league in interceptions. He was activated from injured reserve on January 7, 2023.

Gardner-Johnson joined the Detroit Lions in 2023.