He also has the most receiving yards in Rose Bowl game history. As a freshman, Smith-Njigba was a depth piece who would get a few snaps a game. 3 Jordan Addison - USC. For his size, Smith-Njigba is surprisingly physical. Terry Glenn previously held the record, having recorded 253 yards against Pitt in 1995. Smith-Njigba struggles with injury after first catch (0:19) Jaxon Smith-Njigba takes a big hit on his first catch and doesn't come back in the game until late in the second quarter. Who are the top WR's in the 2023 NFL draft? A new home for Michael Thomas? Garrett Wilson in 2021 on Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Hes difficult to bring down. [8][9], Smith-Njigba played in seven games as a freshman and led Ohio State's freshmen with 10 receptions for 49 yards and one touchdown.[10]. 10 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft believes Smith-Njigba brings a skill set greater than that of himself or Chris Olave, another Ohio State alum who went in the first round of last year's draft. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. He wins with excellent, quick footwork at the line and in space. The next great one Omg @jaxon_smith1 stop it # . It's officially NFL draft season, so it's time to get to know the best players at every positions in the 2023 class. Does a nice job locating and tracking deep passes and is a legitimate vertical threat. 22 overall pick. Smith-Njigba is a possession slot receiver who lacks the shake to separate underneath and the speed to run past defenses. He also uses route angles and sudden movements at stems to generate displacement. Those results won't be made public. Still, he had earned more . When Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a likely first round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, was asked what stood out about his formal interview with the Green and Gold, he said the . He also holds Ohio State records for most catches in a single game with 15 (twice) and most receiving yards in a single season with 1,606 during the 2021 season. Game Logs. NBA Stats. "Why Rockwall WR, Ohio State pledge Jaxon Smith-Njigba's impressive showing at The Opening almost didn't", "Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Riley Dodge win 2019 Tom Landry Awards", "Rockwall wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba named Gatorade Texas football player of the year", "Jaxon Smith-Njigba Named to SI All-American Team", "Ohio State commit Jaxon Smith-Njigba honored as a 2020 All-American", "Jaxon Smith-Njigba poised to become Ohio State's next star at receiver", "Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State Buckeyes, Wide Receiver", "Four-Star Wide Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba Commits To Ohio State", "Former Rockwall star Jaxon Smith-Njigba ready to take on larger role in Ohio State's offense", "Is Jaxon Smith-Njigba headed for breakout game in Ohio State football's season opener against Minnesota? The vitals on Jaxon Smith-Njigba School: Ohio State Position: Wide receiver Height: 6-1 Weight: 200 pounds Years active: 2020-2022 Here are Jaxon Smith-Njigba's career stats in. [14], Smith-Njigba is of half Sierra Leonean descent. The sophomore was a supernova against the Utah secondary, hauling in 15 catches for 347 yards and three touchdowns. Hes a fairly easy accelerator who generates solid initial momentum and can freely throttle up and down. Stroud completed 37 of 46 passes for 572 yards and six touchdowns against one interception. Despite sharing a wide receiver room with first-rounders Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave last season, Smith-Njigba set single-season school records in catches (95) and . The last time Ohio State took the field, Ryan Day's squad was embarrassed in a 42-27 loss to Michigan. Smith-Njigba can manipulate and change his route path in tight spaces while keeping his speed. He can create in minimal space with the best of them. I just try to use all those qualities and get the job done. He capped his 2021 campaign with a ridiculous performance in the Rose Bowl against Utah, catching 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns through the air, setting a new record for receiving yards in the legendary bowl game. Ohio State has a type at wide receiver. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 6:39AM. Smith-Njigba flashes the capacity for great explosion, especially when hes on the attack either surging into space or pursuing blockers. Hes an extremely sudden, amped-up mover who stores immense amounts of potential energy within his frame. With his slightly lighter frame, hes not always going to withstand direct contact. Going further, Smith-Njigba appears to lack quantifiably elite explosive burst. 1 Pick, The Case for Bryce Young To Be the No. Sat., Jan. 1, 2022; Pasadena, California, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) races to the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter of the 108th Rose Bowl Game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Utah Utes at the Rose Bowl. Theres the regular season, and then there is rookie fever season. Smith-Njigba was the leading receiver on a team that featured last year's NFL rookie . He earned rave reviews from a number of media outlets. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. There is no doubt C.J. I doubt it matters what anyone thinks of Smith-Njigba because he likely won't be available at 25. I'm taking things slowly to close the book on this nagging injury, which I feel like I have. Smith-Njigba is undergoing medical testing at the combine, with coaches and front-office executives monitoring the results on the hamstring injury that limited him in 2022. - Hes difficult to bring down. He tossed a touchdown on his second drive of the third quarter before OSU tacked on a field goal to cut into Utah's lead, dicing the score to 38-31. His height, weight, and length are all likely close to the median for wide receivers. While Smith-Njigba entered the game leading Ohio State with 80 catches for 1,259 yards, he ranked third behind Olave and Wilson with six touchdowns. Stats: 2021 (251 FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets) Yards per route run: 1st; PFF receiving grade: 1st; Career Breakout age: 75th percentile (19.6) 5 Ohio State over Nebraska", "Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba sets bowl record with 347 receiving yards vs. Utah in Rose Bowl win", "Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba won't play in College Playoff, intends to enter 2023 NFL Draft", "Ohio State's Impactful Nigerian Connections, Relationship with Greg Mattison and Eye-Opening June Visit Were Driving Forces in Tunmise Adeleye's Recruitment", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jaxon_Smith-Njigba&oldid=1141457926, American people of Sierra Leonean descent, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 04:43. The freshman quarterback was without two of his top three receivers in Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, but that didn't matter as he had one of his most productive games of the season. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. The 2021 season showed what he could do, however, as he totaled 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. However, he needs more press experience on the boundary to prove it. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Smith-Njigba as the No. 2 Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Ohio State. He's great at getting open on broken plays, as he can often be found scrambling around nearly as much as his quarterback while trying to get open. I think he'll grow into a versatile all-around threat. [1] Smith-Njigba led all high school football players in the DallasFort Worth metroplex with 97 receptions for 1,828 yards and 20 touchdowns in his junior season. - He's great at getting open on broken plays, as he can often be found scrambling around nearly as much as his quarterback while trying to get open. Smith-Njigba finished the game with a mind-boggling 15 catches, 347 yards and three touchdowns as Ohio State scored a dramatic 48-45 victory over the Utes. Speaking of which, he's a YAC machine. His route running is superior to most wideouts in this draft class. But if you want a well-rounded, high-floor receiver who can churn out 1,000-yard seasons year after year, Smith-Njigba is your guy. He understands leverage and can effectively direct DBs away from runners. Yes, Smith-Njigba was a slot receiver in college, but that doesnt mean he doesnt have the intangibles to get loose on the boundary. As a matter of policy, Sports Reference only reports the results of games as played on the field. Is he a player worth trading up for in any way? Jersey Pos #11 WR . They were saying the Giants needed OL, edge and CB first. Tracks the deep ball over either shoulder and brings in passes fluidly without breaking stride downfield. Not a VIP subscriber to the Bear Report? 6 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. 1 Pick. Stats. Outrageous Predictions", "Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's record-setting day sparks No. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. Jaxon Smith-njigba Stats, News, Fantasy Football Rankings Jaxon Smith-Njigba Wide Receiver Number # AGE 21 weight 198 lbs. Willing to go up and attack the ball. All Rights Reserved. NFL teams had hoped to see Smith-Njigba run the 40 in Indianapolis to compare him against the rest of the top wide receivers in 2023. INDIANAPOLIS -- Former Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba says he is fully healed from the hamstring injury that kept him out for most of last season, and he intends to participate in all drills at the NFL scouting combine except for the 40-yard dash. More Jaxon Smith-Njigba Pages. Has enough straight-line speed and takes advantage of open seams when his quarterback is on target. 2 wideout in the class, behind Zay Flowers (Boston College), while Todd McShay has him at No. "From playing basketball [as a kid], I feel like my creativity is what sets me apart also. He's not going to blow by any defensive backs with his speed, and he's not going to participate in 40-yard dash drills at the combine, so he won't be able to change the narrative that he's a tad slower than some other standouts at WR in this class. The Case for Anthony Richardson To Be the No. Jaxon Smith-Njigba Rose Bowl stats: 15 receptions, 346 receiving yards, three touchdowns; College football world reacts to Jaxon Smith-Njigba's historic Rose Bowl game. The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer, in his latest mock draft,has Smith-Njigba going to the Chargers with the No. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State) . Over the final five games of the 2021 season, the Texas native accumulated 60 receptions for 958 yards and six touchdowns. He also has enough speed to extend RAC opportunities and reach the corner on drags and digs. Jaxon Smith-Njigba Breaks Rose Bowl Receiving Record as OSU Tops Utah in Thriller Erin Walsh January 1, 2022 AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill The No. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. Jaxon Smith-Njigba Height, Weight and Hand Size Stroud. In 2021, he earned third-team All-America after snagging 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Its important not to speak in absolutes, but another strong season would almost assuredly grant Smith-Njigba first-round capital. [12] Later that season, he set both an Ohio State single game and FBS Bowl record for receiving yards with 347 in Ohio State's win in the 2022 Rose Bowl. He has a very reasonable path to success at the next level, but his lack of elite burst and speed are notable concerns. 1 Quentin Johnston - TCU. The Ohio State WR trio of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will go down in the college football history books. Emeka Egbuka, another freshman receiver, also had a nice outing with three catches for 46 yards. Stacked formations. And Smith-Njigba holds up his end there as well. The Buckeyes entered with a chip on their shoulder after missing out on the College Football Playoff for the first time in three years. For comparison, he entered with just five catches for 68 yards on the season. Stroud and Smith-Njigba are cooking . e's a Grade A slot receiver. It's impossible to predict where he could go in the upcoming draft, though. Standing at 60, 198 pounds, Smith-Njigba fits the Ohio State mold thats been reinforced in previous cycles. While both had their own unique nuances as individual prospects, they both won largely with their ability to separate and convert at the catch point. Among other things, Smith-Njigba has shown that while he doesnt have great long speed, he can at least stack defenders in the slot on intermediate routes. MORE:Tracking the fastest 40 times from the 2023 NFL Combine, "My playmaking ability is second to none," Smith-Njigba said. Jaxon Smith-Njigba says he's 100% but skipping 40-yard dash Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba won't run the 40 at the scouting combine but says he is fully healed from the hamstring. Stats at ESPN.com. He had six drops in his 2021 campaign. Theres the regular season, and then there is rookie fever season. The Green Bay Packers, like the rest of the NFL, are at the combine trying to figure out who they want to draft in April. C.J. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. 11 Utah Utes 48-45 in Saturday's Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, to finish the 2021 season with an 11-2 record. He also holds Ohio State records . Stroud throw for 573. (19%*), 75 3/8 Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a bold message at the 2023 NFL Draft Combine, wrote the Athletic Chicago Bears beat writer Kevin Fishbain wrote in a Thursday tweet. "I just think my playmaking ability is second to none in this draft," he said. Jaxon has played on 4 football teams covered by MaxPreps. Jaxon Smith-Njigba's Football Stats. He only played three games in 2022 due to a lingering. The duo didnt work together beyond one season, but it still matters. After that performance, he was touted as one of the top prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. You don't currently have any notifications. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. While hes not an elite explosive threat, Smith-Njigbas cylindrical twitch is high-level, and he uses that trait to get DBs off-balance. . In his final two seasons . David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. And when the ball comes his way, Smith-Njigba has rare instincts and excellent hands. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Smith-Njigba is undergoing medical testing at the combine, with coaches and front-office executives monitoring the results on the hamstring injury that limited him in 2022. His size and strong lower body make him a tricky task for corners once the ball is in his hands. We'll see if this matters at all when it comes to his draft stock. Are you looking to contact Customer Support about a subscription or account related question? Entering 2022, Smith-Njigba had been projected as one of the top wide receivers in the country. All Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He carries acceleration through transitions with great hip sink but also presses upfield at stems and actively employs deception. It was the most receiving yards by anyone in bowl history. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). Fields has also said in interviews this offseason that he'd like to see JSN come to town, which is all the more reason for him to be onChicago's radar. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including complete game-by-game stats on ESPN Sign up now to get access to everything publisher Zack Pearson and the entire Bear Report team have to offer on all things Chicago Bears and access to the No. In a wide receivers room that also featured reigning 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, Smith-Njigba led the Buckeyes with 95 receptions, 1,606 receiving yards (16.9 yards per catch) and nine touchdowns. Rising didn't have a performance quite like Stroud's, but he's still worth talking about. Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba to miss Peach Bowl, enter 2023 NFL Draft Smith-Njigba had five receptions for 43 yards this season. I see myself as a top-five player in this draft. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (/ndb/ in-JIG-b; born February 14, 2002), also known by his initials JSN, is an American football wide receiver for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He has good acceleration off the line and can use fast feet to gain speed as he heads upfield. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Or write about sports? . Elsewhere, Smith-Njigba is prone to occasional focus drops, often when he has to extend beyond his frame for passes. But as a 2023 NFL Draft prospect, is Smith-Njigbas scouting report stronger than his predecessors? Do you have a blog? Current draft projection for Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Has the strong hands any NFL wide receiver coach and quarterback would covet. He has had an issue hanging onto the ball at times. Saturday's game was Ohio State's 16th appearance in the Rose Bowl, entering with an 8-7 record in Pasadena. Smith-Njigba struggles with injury after first catch, These five players highlight 2023 NFL mock draft. Interestingly enough, while Smith-Njigba is a phenomenal prospect, his production may inflate his stock a bit past his actual value. Entering Saturday's game, Rising had completed 62.8 percent of his passes for 2,279 yards and 18 touchdowns against five interceptions, in addition to rushing for 407 yards and five scores. Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba In the 2022 Rose Bowl that was played at the end of the 2021 college football season between No. Jaxon Smith-Njigba rose to stardom at Rockwell High School in Rockwell, Texas, where he became a five-star recruit, according to both 24/7 sports and Rivals. GET BEARS NEWS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DAILY WITH OUR NEWSLETTER. Neither Wilson nor Olave was an overwhelming size threat. STATISTICS. , Most TD passes in single season by B1G QB, all-time:
50 - Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State (2018)
41 - C.J. In 2021, he was third among FBS wide receivers (minimum 50 targets) in receiving yards (1,595) and second in YAC (790). Smith-Njigba famously capped his season in style, putting up a Rose Bowl-record 347 receiving yards in the Buckeyes' demolition of USC. 6 Ohio State, then-sophomore wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba had the best receiving performance ever in a bowl game: 347 receiving yards (a single-game bowl record) and three receiving touchdowns on . Smith-Njigba has visible lateral twitch, and he brings good energy with his movement. You can check them all out in our, How to Prepare for Your Dynasty Rookie Draft, Dynasty Rookie Draft Pick Trade Strategy & Advice, Fantasy Football Draft Values to Target: Tight Ends (2023), Dynasty Trade Advice: Trade Jamaal Williams (2023 Fantasy Football), Fantasy Football Draft Sleepers: Jake Ferguson (2023), 2023 NFL Free Agent Predictions: Aaron Rodgers & Jimmy Garoppolo (Fantasy Football), 2023 NFL Free Agent Running Backs: Devin Singletary (Fantasy Football), Fantasy Football Draft Quarterback Breakouts (2023), No, I'm a California resident looking for the California Consumer Privacy Act form, Limited to three games played in 2022 due to a hamstring injury. Moreover, hes a manipulative route runner who can adjust his tempo through reps. A former five-star recruit, Smith-Njigba has dominated everywhere hes been. Career; Var 19-20; Var 18-19; Var 17-18; Var 16-17; Career Stats. 10 overall to the Jets) and Chris Olave (No. Smith-Njigba showed some star potential in college, especially during the 2021 season in which he finished with 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. Additionally, he primarily operated out of the slot in 2021 and frequently had free releases. NBC4 WCMH-TV Video 81-year-old gearing up for the Arnold 5k Pump . 2022; 2021; 2020; Career; Splits. He was named a starter at the slot receiver position for the Buckeyes going into his sophomore season. Time will tell where he gets drafted, but he's currently one of the more intriguing prospects at wide receiver in the upcoming draft. He can also pinch tight angles around defensive backs while accelerating, showing off valuable ankle flexion. Smith-Njigba proceeded to shatter the school's record for most receiving yards in a game, previously held by Terry Glenn with 253 yards. Has good body strength to squirm out of tackles with the coordination to maneuver his frame between defenders. Even without elite explosiveness, hes still a very abrupt player whose natural suddenness provides ample value. Smith-Njigba played minimally with Bears quarterback Justin Fields at Ohio State in 2020, catching 10 passes for 49 yards and a touchdown that year, but it was his sophomore campaign in 2021 that put him on the map nationally. His size and strong lower body make him a tricky task for corners once the ball is in his hands. Some school's results have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties. Rising and the Utes put together five consecutive scoring drives before ending the first half with a punt. Jaxon Smith-Njigba now has the Ohio State record for most receiving yards in a game.
Coming into this season, Ohio State only had four 200-yard receiving games ever. . I don't think he'll be limited to just a slot receiver in the NFL. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Here's what NFL.coms draft expert Lance Zierlein had to say about Smith-Njigba's game: "Smith-Njigba is a possession slot receiver who lacks the shake to separate underneath and the speed to run past defenses. Some of Smith-Njigbas traits suggest that he can translate well against press coverage. The Ohio State wideout had seen only a few downs of action in 2022. 6 Ohio State won a 48 . Do Not Sell My Personal Information. And now, with Wilson and Olave gone, the spotlight is on him alone. And judging by the way those around the league view the 21-year old, it seems Smith-Njigba will have every chance to prove his worth at the next level. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. It is impossible to ignore his monster finish to the 2021 season, and he has starting slot potential, but the speed concerns coupled with an injury-plagued 2022 season threaten to negatively impact his draft stock.". Smith-Njigba is now the Ohio State record holder for the most receiving yards in a game. Expectations were high after Smith-Njigba's stellar Rose Bowl performance in which he caught 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns that put an exclamation point on a 2021 season in which he set a Big Ten record with 1,606 yards. Time will tell where he gets drafted, but he's currently one of the more intriguing prospects at wide receiver in the upcoming draft. Smith-Njigba is already a proficient separator, but he doesnt rely on separation to win. 19-20 Varsity Football. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. "I just think . Hes able to secure catches with defenders in his wheelhouse, and hes comfortable with very little space. Do you have a sports website? "I was 100 percent as of two weeks ago. [3][4] Smith-Njigba played in the 2019 All-American Bowl and was named a high school All-American by Sports Illustrated and USA Today. Smith-Njigba has done it twice this season. Seeing him against press coverage in 2021 will be key, but he projects well there. "I see myself as a top-five player, not just a receiver. height 6' 0" college Ohio State drafted . Ultimately, however, he committed to Ohio State University. Addison is 6-0 175, Hyatt is 6-0 180. Smith-Njigba and Addison finished third and fourth in receiving yards in 2021, respectively, first and second among Power Five players, and JSN's Rose Bowl performance put him over the top. If youre like me and youve had a raging fever since Februarythe only prescription is my rookie primers. Smith-Njigba caught 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. - He's not going to blow by any defensive backs with his speed, and he's not going to participate in 40-yard dash drills at the combine, so he won't be able to change the narrative that he's a tad slower than some other standouts at WR in this class. Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba confident he is 'a top-five player' in 2023 NFL Draft: 'I can win you the game', Tracking the fastest 40 times from the 2023 NFL Combine, Follow live updates, highlights from NFL Combine workouts, Updated NFL Draft big board of top 125 players overall, position rankings. Draft analyst Todd McShay reported in December that Smith-Njigba was healthy enough to play in the College Football Playoffs, but chose not to.
50 - Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State (2018)
41 - C.J. In 2021, he was third among FBS wide receivers (minimum 50 targets) in receiving yards (1,595) and second in YAC (790). Smith-Njigba famously capped his season in style, putting up a Rose Bowl-record 347 receiving yards in the Buckeyes' demolition of USC. 6 Ohio State, then-sophomore wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba had the best receiving performance ever in a bowl game: 347 receiving yards (a single-game bowl record) and three receiving touchdowns on . Smith-Njigba has visible lateral twitch, and he brings good energy with his movement. You can check them all out in our, How to Prepare for Your Dynasty Rookie Draft, Dynasty Rookie Draft Pick Trade Strategy & Advice, Fantasy Football Draft Values to Target: Tight Ends (2023), Dynasty Trade Advice: Trade Jamaal Williams (2023 Fantasy Football), Fantasy Football Draft Sleepers: Jake Ferguson (2023), 2023 NFL Free Agent Predictions: Aaron Rodgers & Jimmy Garoppolo (Fantasy Football), 2023 NFL Free Agent Running Backs: Devin Singletary (Fantasy Football), Fantasy Football Draft Quarterback Breakouts (2023), No, I'm a California resident looking for the California Consumer Privacy Act form, Limited to three games played in 2022 due to a hamstring injury. Moreover, hes a manipulative route runner who can adjust his tempo through reps. A former five-star recruit, Smith-Njigba has dominated everywhere hes been. Career; Var 19-20; Var 18-19; Var 17-18; Var 16-17; Career Stats. 10 overall to the Jets) and Chris Olave (No. Smith-Njigba showed some star potential in college, especially during the 2021 season in which he finished with 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. Additionally, he primarily operated out of the slot in 2021 and frequently had free releases. NBC4 WCMH-TV Video 81-year-old gearing up for the Arnold 5k Pump . 2022; 2021; 2020; Career; Splits. He was named a starter at the slot receiver position for the Buckeyes going into his sophomore season. Time will tell where he gets drafted, but he's currently one of the more intriguing prospects at wide receiver in the upcoming draft. He can also pinch tight angles around defensive backs while accelerating, showing off valuable ankle flexion. Smith-Njigba proceeded to shatter the school's record for most receiving yards in a game, previously held by Terry Glenn with 253 yards. Has good body strength to squirm out of tackles with the coordination to maneuver his frame between defenders. Even without elite explosiveness, hes still a very abrupt player whose natural suddenness provides ample value. Smith-Njigba played minimally with Bears quarterback Justin Fields at Ohio State in 2020, catching 10 passes for 49 yards and a touchdown that year, but it was his sophomore campaign in 2021 that put him on the map nationally. His size and strong lower body make him a tricky task for corners once the ball is in his hands. Some school's results have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties. Rising and the Utes put together five consecutive scoring drives before ending the first half with a punt. Jaxon Smith-Njigba now has the Ohio State record for most receiving yards in a game.
Coming into this season, Ohio State only had four 200-yard receiving games ever. . I don't think he'll be limited to just a slot receiver in the NFL. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Here's what NFL.coms draft expert Lance Zierlein had to say about Smith-Njigba's game: "Smith-Njigba is a possession slot receiver who lacks the shake to separate underneath and the speed to run past defenses. Some of Smith-Njigbas traits suggest that he can translate well against press coverage. The Ohio State wideout had seen only a few downs of action in 2022. 6 Ohio State won a 48 . Do Not Sell My Personal Information. And now, with Wilson and Olave gone, the spotlight is on him alone. And judging by the way those around the league view the 21-year old, it seems Smith-Njigba will have every chance to prove his worth at the next level. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. It is impossible to ignore his monster finish to the 2021 season, and he has starting slot potential, but the speed concerns coupled with an injury-plagued 2022 season threaten to negatively impact his draft stock.". Smith-Njigba is now the Ohio State record holder for the most receiving yards in a game. Expectations were high after Smith-Njigba's stellar Rose Bowl performance in which he caught 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns that put an exclamation point on a 2021 season in which he set a Big Ten record with 1,606 yards. Time will tell where he gets drafted, but he's currently one of the more intriguing prospects at wide receiver in the upcoming draft. Smith-Njigba is already a proficient separator, but he doesnt rely on separation to win. 19-20 Varsity Football. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. "I just think . Hes able to secure catches with defenders in his wheelhouse, and hes comfortable with very little space. Do you have a sports website? "I was 100 percent as of two weeks ago. [3][4] Smith-Njigba played in the 2019 All-American Bowl and was named a high school All-American by Sports Illustrated and USA Today. Smith-Njigba has done it twice this season. Seeing him against press coverage in 2021 will be key, but he projects well there. "I see myself as a top-five player, not just a receiver. height 6' 0" college Ohio State drafted . Ultimately, however, he committed to Ohio State University. Addison is 6-0 175, Hyatt is 6-0 180. Smith-Njigba and Addison finished third and fourth in receiving yards in 2021, respectively, first and second among Power Five players, and JSN's Rose Bowl performance put him over the top. If youre like me and youve had a raging fever since Februarythe only prescription is my rookie primers. Smith-Njigba caught 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. - He's not going to blow by any defensive backs with his speed, and he's not going to participate in 40-yard dash drills at the combine, so he won't be able to change the narrative that he's a tad slower than some other standouts at WR in this class. Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba confident he is 'a top-five player' in 2023 NFL Draft: 'I can win you the game', Tracking the fastest 40 times from the 2023 NFL Combine, Follow live updates, highlights from NFL Combine workouts, Updated NFL Draft big board of top 125 players overall, position rankings. Draft analyst Todd McShay reported in December that Smith-Njigba was healthy enough to play in the College Football Playoffs, but chose not to.