Budding Jets star Ahmad Gardner working toward earning 'Sauce' nickname

Talented New York Jets rookie cornerback Ahmad Gardner, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft,  has carried the nickname "Sauce" since his days playing youth football in Detroit.

According to Gardner, a youth football coach called him "A1 Sauce Sweet Feet Gardner." The nickname  eventually was shortened to "Sauce."

"He said that name fit perfectly with me," the corner told ABC in a pre-draft interview.

Through the preseason and Week 1, Gardner has been targeted twice and allowed only one reception, an eight-yard catch Sunday against the Ravens.

Pro Football Focus gave the 22-year-old former University of Cincinnati star high marks: "Sauce Gardner continues to look like a cornerback no quarterback will want to target with frequency."

Gardner's teammates have reportedly refused to call Gardner "Sauce" until he "earns" it. If he keeps making plays like these, it seems like it's only a matter of time before Gardner is universally known as Sauce.