Bearcats Peppered all Over List of Top-101 College Players in 2021

Three exiting Bearcats and one new UC player cracked the list.

CINCINNATI — PFF unveiled their top 101 players from the 2021 college football season, and the Bearcats had strong representation.

Cornerback Ahmad Gardner, quarterback Desmond Ridder, running back Jerome Ford, and prospective transfer linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. all made the list.

Gardner started things off as the fourth-ranked player in the sport.

"The Bearcats' pass defense was the team's only glaring positive in its CFP semifinal loss to Alabama," Anthony Treash wrote. "As Cincinnati held the Crimson Tide to their lowest successful pass rate since Week 1 in 2017. Gardner, who allowed zero yards in man coverage to Alabama, played a big part in that.

"The 6-foot-3, 200-pound cornerback’s performance in that final outing capped off what will forever be known as one of the best seasons — and careers — from a collegiate defensive back. He allowed 131 yards across 14 games and 482 coverage snaps this year. Impressively, he did that while playing mostly on an island in press-man coverage. Gardner closed out his three years playing over 1,100 coverage snaps without a touchdown allowed to give him one of the most decorated collegiate careers we have seen."

The 2021 AAC Offensive Player of the Year followed Gardner at No. 57.

"Aside from Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett, no quarterback improved their game more than Ridder in 2021," Treash said. "The Bearcats signal-caller took full advantage of his physical gifts, ending 2021 with a 90.4 PFF grade that sits 13 grading points above his previous career-best. Ridder ranks among the nation's top 10 quarterbacks in accurate pass rate and deep passing grade this season, and he tossed 24 deep big-time throws without recording a single turnover-worthy play on those passes. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound quarterback also led the position in total games with zero turnover-worthy plays this year, with nine."

The Bearcats lead back ran well enough in 2021 to earn a spot at No. 71.

"Ford ranked behind only Michigan's Blake Corum in rushing yards over expectation this season," Treash wrote. "The former Alabama running back was a breakaway threat for Cincinnati this season, recording six touchdowns of 20-plus yards — tied for the fourth-most in the FBS."

Pace Jr. rounded out the crew as the only player on this list that will play for Cincinnati in 2022.

"Pace was the easy decision for PFF’s 2021 MAC Defensive Player of the Year," Treash said. "This year, he stepped into a starting job for the first time and came out with an 88.3 PFF grade. He was a weapon, regardless of the role, but stood out as a blitzer where he earned a 91.2 pass-rush grade and totaled 19 pressures on 46 rushes. Pace paired that with an 88.6 coverage grade and 78.7 run-defense grade."

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