A staple to the offensive line, Gardner was named to the HBCU All-America First-Team and SWAC All-Conference First-Team in 2017. He anchored an offensive line that helped Alcorn lead the SWAC in both total offense and rushing offense.
 
The Indianapolis, Indiana native heavily aided the Braves in racking up 461.3 yards per game and 237.4 rushing yards per outing – both marks were top-10 in the country. He also blocked for running back De'Lance Turner who broke the school's single-season rushing record with 1,357 yards on the year which was second-most in the country.

Gardner was named to the All-Conference Second-Team in 2016. He was part of an offensive line that helped Alcorn rank top-10 in the nation in sacks allowed, giving up just 0.90 per game. He heavily aided the Braves rank No. 17 in the country and second in the SWAC in rushing offense.