Gardner working for offer

Trotwood (OH) Madison 2015 defensive prospect Ferrod Gardner has been hearing from Mizzou for a while now. But when he began to talk with cornerbacks coach Cornell Ford is when he started to feel Mizzou's interest was real.

Over the last few weeks Gardner has talked with Ford on multiple occasions and also had him stop by his school for a vist.

"He came and visited me on Wednesday, May 14. We've talked before about my grandmothers 80th birthday. We also talked about Mizzou offering me and where I stand on their recruiting board," said Gardner.

"Coach Ford said I should be discussed during the next sit down the coaches have. They have safeties and linebackers that have offers in front on me," he continued. "He said all that is really holding me back is me coming up to camp. As soon as I come up to camp and take care of my business an offer should be there. He likes the way I play. He always tells me that the game is more mental than it's physical. If your minds right your body will follow. He knows that I can make plays. He likes that I can play fast."

So will Gardner take advantage of the opportunity to attend a camp and perhaps gain a Mizzou offer.

"That's the plan," Gardner said. "I just have to pick a date and show up and ball. Coach Ford told me about the padded days. He suggested that I come to a padded day rather than a no pad. I'll take that in to consideration. I'm thinking about attending both most likely. I've just got to see what my availability is."

One thing that Gardner and Ford have not settled on is which position 6-foot, 201 pound prospect is best suited for going forward.

"I told him I can play outside linebacker or strong safety. He told me I could play either one and it's really on me. I told him whichever one gets me on the field faster and I have more potential at," explained Gardner.

In addition to Mizzou, Gardner is hearing from Cincinnati, Ohio State, Michigan State, Georgia, Tennessee and Pittsburgh the most. At this point Cincinnati and Pitt seem to be the closest to offering.

Also, in addition to his plan of attending Mizzou's camp, Gardner expects to camp with Ohio State, Cincinnati, Tennessee, Georgia, Michigan State, Louisville and Pitt.

Click Here to view this Link.

As he waits on his first offer, Gardner is contemplating when he wants to make his decision. He would like to make a decision rather quickly after he starts getting offers, but not too quickly. When he is ready to make his commitment, Gardner will take in to account a few different factors.

"Education, because there is always going to be life after football and you're always going to need an education. So I need a school with a good education system," he explained. "Playing time plays an important role. I know it's mainly on me for the playing time, but I'll look at who's above me on the depth chart at my position. Being close to home so my family can come see me play is also important."

In the meantime, Gardner will continue to work.

"We're in the weight room right now. I'm in the weight room four days out of the week. I'm just trying to better myself. Getting bigger. Getting stronger. Then I go out on the field. Ladder drills. 1-on-1s. 7-on-7s. There's not really an offseason. Just working out trying to have a strong senior season," he said.

Nobody covers the Tigers like PowerMizzou.com.