We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. 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. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. As a prospect, he rated as the 29th overall prospect. 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. "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? 2 Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Ohio State. For his size, Smith-Njigba is surprisingly physical. Harrison, a freshman, also had the best game of his career with Olave and Wilson out of the lineup. He wont blow defenders out of their cleats, but he has the functional strength to hold running lanes or clear a path. ANY GAME! Buckeyes' Smith-Njigba, Williams back vs. Iowa, Ohio State rules out Smith-Njigba, Williams. Smith-Njigba is just 20 years old. Smith -Njigba played minimally with Bears . *, Copyright 2010- FantasyPros.com Hes tough in the middle of the defense and has proven he can make catches in congestion. Stroud has a message for those who question whether Fields can excel as a passer and not just a runner. 1 Pick, The Case for Bryce Young To Be the No. Stats: 2021 (251 FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets) Yards per route run: 1st; PFF receiving grade: 1st; Career Breakout age: 75th percentile (19.6) Check out Jaxon Smith-Njigba's College Gamelog and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com . As it turns out, all the Buckeyes needed was Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba has visible lateral twitch, and he brings good energy with his movement. Ohio State star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to miss College Football Playoff matchup versus Georgia See all videos Verified Results Forty 4.59 Seconds The Opening Finals 07/01/19 Shuttle 3.91. Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays against Michigan State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (37%*), (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance), SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION HOLIDAY BOWL, Had an elite 2021 season when he led Ohio State with school-record totals of 95 receptions and 1,606 receiving yards on a team that also featured first-round NFL Draft picks Garrett Wilson (No. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. 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. Additionally, he can violently plant and rotate around at stems with impressive quickness. 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. Stats at ESPN.com. Every dynasty GM knows there is no offseason. He also holds Ohio State records . Over the final five games of the 2021 season, the Texas native accumulated 60 receptions for 958 yards and six touchdowns. His size and strong lower body make him a tricky task for corners once the ball is in his hands. Furthermore, he shows off exceptional reaction quickness and makes high-difficulty adjustments with very little response time. 1 Pick, The Case for Will Levis To Be the No. He holds the FBS Bowl Game and Ohio State single game record for most receiving yards with 347 in the 2022 Rose Bowl. Both Olave and Wilson, who declared for the NFL draft, will be gone next season, which means players like Smith-Njigba, Harrison and Egbuka will be Stroud's primary receivers in 2022. After catching 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore in 2021, Smith-Njigba . The last time Ohio State took the field, Ryan Day's squad was embarrassed in a 42-27 loss to Michigan. Additionally, he primarily operated out of the slot in 2021 and frequently had free releases. One of his most impressive plays of the evening was breaking a tackle and rushing for a 62-yard score. But after a frustrating junior year, Smith-Njigba intends to show that he is the best receiver in this year's draft. , Most TD passes in single season by B1G QB, all-time:

50 - Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State (2018)
41 - C.J. Elsewhere, Smith-Njigba is prone to occasional focus drops, often when he has to extend beyond his frame for passes. He also lacks breakaway long speed and can be run down in open field by plus athletes. 11 Utah. Smith-Njigba is a possession slot receiver who lacks the shake to separate underneath and the speed to run past defenses. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Bunch. https://t.co/0WKdfgT6qO, Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) February 10, 2023, Player Comp: If Robert Woods and Keenan Allen had a baby, Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio, *All data utilized in this article is courtesy of PFF, Football Outsiders, and Playerprofiler.com unless otherwise specified. Saturday's game was Ohio State's 16th appearance in the Rose Bowl, entering with an 8-7 record in Pasadena. He finished the 2021 season with 95 receptions for 1,595. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. - He's a Grade A slot receiver. Hes a tenacious blocker who engages well with defenders and anchors them. [5][6] Smith-Njigba finished his high school career with 5,346 career receiving yards and 82 touchdowns in 44 games played. Smith-Njigba grew up in Rockwall, Texas, and attended Rockwall High School. Music Outro: Eminem - Lose YourselfSecond Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8n8qjtOWK1j3tFiZAeeZ4QInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/justin_stewar. He caught just five passes for 43 yards in his final season with the Buckeyes, which has some wondering how teams currently view him with his best season over a year removed. In 2021, he earned third-team All-America after snagging 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore. On the topic of Ohio State, Smith-Njigba expressed regret that he wasn't able to play more. Runs elite crisp routes with sharp cuts. "I just think my playmaking ability is second to none in this draft," he said. He hit .258 with .760 OPS last season, missing almost six weeks with a right thigh injury. Addison is 6-0 175, Hyatt is 6-0 180. He was named a starter at the slot receiver position for the Buckeyes going into his sophomore season. I think the best way to describe Jaxon Smith-Njigba is that hes a quarterbacks Phone-a-Friend pic.twitter.com/ZykxbLB2bG. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. He can also pinch tight angles around defensive backs while accelerating, showing off valuable ankle flexion. 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. We'll see if this matters at all when it comes to his draft stock. He already has a rapport with Fields. All rights reserved. After that performance, he was touted as one of the top prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba to miss Peach Bowl, enter 2023 NFL Draft Smith-Njigba had five receptions for 43 yards this season. 3 Jordan Addison - USC. Based on Stroud's performance, in addition to the performances of his receivers, Ohio State could very well be in the College Football Playoff next season. They were saying the Giants needed OL, edge and CB first. However, he began to heat up again as the half went on. Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba said he met with the New England Patriots at the combine and also praised the franchise and Mac Jones. height 6' 0" college Ohio State drafted . He was replaced by freshman quarterback Bryson Barnes. Rising didn't have a performance quite like Stroud's, but he's still worth talking about. XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? - He has had an issue hanging onto the ball at times. And now, with Wilson and Olave gone, the spotlight is on him alone. He was a 5-star recruit and the fifth WR in his class. I don't think he'll be limited to just a slot receiver in the NFL. 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. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine Entering 2022, Smith-Njigba had been projected as one of the top wide receivers in the country. He was a five-star recruit from Rockwall (Texas) High School. The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer, in his latest mock draft,has Smith-Njigba going to the Chargers with the No. Smith-Njigba turned down offers from multiple in-state schools and decided to take his talents to Columbus. Garrett Wilson still maintains that Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a better receiver than him or Chris Olave. Smith-Njigba is a bit of an enigma athletically. UTAH HITS THE END ZONE FIRST IN THE . One wide receiver many Chicago Bears fans have on their radar heading into the 2023 draft is former Ohio State Buckeyes standout Jaxon Smith-Njigba. 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. The Case for Anthony Richardson To Be the No. 6 Ohio State won a 48 . . It's impossible to predict where he could go in the upcoming draft, though. While Smith-Njigba is an exceptional player, there are some limitations and areas for improvement to make note of. Or write about sports? . Receiving. Is Ohio State WR and 2023 NFL Draft prospect Jaxon Smith-Njigba the best of the bunch from the historic 2021 OSU trio? Smith-Njigba struggles with injury after first catch, These five players highlight 2023 NFL mock draft. Smith-Njigba isnt necessarily a generational WR prospect, and other wideouts in the 2023 NFL Draft may have better athletic profiles. As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 scores. 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. Smith-Njigba is already a proficient separator, but he doesnt rely on separation to win. It was also the Buckeyes' first game against the Utes since 1986. He can create in minimal space with the best of them. This is me Follow. Jaxon is as good as Ive ever seen, probably the best Ive ever seen. Smith-Njigba feels 100% after injury-marred '22, Kiper's updated NFL mock draft: Who's moving up for a QB? Stroud and Smith-Njigba are cooking . . But I just haven't had enough reps on the 40 yet, so pro day you'll see me run.". Hes able to secure catches with defenders in his wheelhouse, and hes comfortable with very little space. He also set an Ohio State and FBS. I'm taking things slowly to close the book on this nagging injury, which I feel like I have. 5 Jalin Hyatt - Tennessee. Three trades in a chaotic top five, Kiper's Round 1 NFL mock draft: Where four quarterbacks land in the top 10 picks, OSU's Smith-Njigba headed to draft, out for CFP, Ohio State gets RB Williams back vs. Michigan, Buckeyes' Smith-Njigba (hamstring) out again, Buckeyes' Smith-Njigba may be on snap count. Find out more. With lacking elite explosiveness and burst, Smith-Njigba isnt going to offer a consistent dynamic element downfield. He set a Big Ten single-season record with 1,606 . The duo didnt work together beyond one season, but it still matters. With his slightly lighter frame, hes not always going to withstand direct contact. C.J. He understands leverage and can effectively direct DBs away from runners. I think he'll grow into a versatile all-around threat. He uses violent targeted swats to combat jams and swipes down arms at the catch point. College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba is seen as one of the top wide receiver prospects ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. Draft analyst Todd McShay reported in December that Smith-Njigba was healthy enough to play in the College Football Playoffs, but chose not to. The Buckeyes entered with a chip on their shoulder after missing out on the College Football Playoff for the first time in three years. / 2023 2024 BYE WEEK. He wont always win on explosiveness alone, and he doesnt cover a ton of ground off initial explosions out of cuts. If youre like me and youve had a raging fever since Februarythe only prescription is my rookie primers. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Some of Smith-Njigbas traits suggest that he can translate well against press coverage. Not a VIP subscriber to the Bear Report? 2022; 2021; 2020; Career; Splits. What makes Smith-Njigbas game particularly appealing is that his mode of success is very translatable to the next level. He holds the FBS Bowl Game and Ohio State single game record for most receiving yards with 347 in the 2022 Rose Bowl. (19%*), 75 3/8 He tracks the ball well on long throws and is capable of being a deep threat. Its important not to speak in absolutes, but another strong season would almost assuredly grant Smith-Njigba first-round capital. Has enough straight-line speed and takes advantage of open seams when his quarterback is on target. Can the Lions fix their defense? Ohio State star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has been limited to parts of two games this season because of a hamstring injury, returned Saturday to start in the Buckeyes' 54-10 blowout of . Outrageous Predictions", "Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's record-setting day sparks No. 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. In 44 high school games, Smith-Njigba racked up 5,346 receiving yards and 82 touchdowns. 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. 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. Jaxon Smith-Njigba now has the most receiving yards (231) in , It's a new Buckeye record for Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

He has 288 Rec yds (and counting), the most in a game in program history, and he's closing in on the all-time Bowl Game record (308 by Jason Rivers in 2006).

No. "From playing basketball [as a kid], I feel like my creativity is what sets me apart also. He missed all but three games of the 2022 season because of a hamstring injury. Stats. If anything, Saturday's game showed us the Buckeyes are in good hands moving forward. 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. 19-20 Varsity Football. 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. He only played three games in 2022 due to a lingering. Smith-Njigba entered Ohio State in 2020 with a ton of pedigree. In his final five games, he had 60 catches for 858 yards and six scores. In his junior season, Smith-Njigba led the Dallas region with 97 catches for 1,828 yards and 20 touchdowns. He had six drops in his 2021 campaign. Ultimately, however, he committed to Ohio State University. 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. Stroud, QB, OSU: 37/46 for 572 YDS, 6 TD, 1 INT and 1 CAR for 10 YDS, Cameron Rising, QB, UTAH: 17/22 for 214 YDS, 2 TD and 11 CAR for 92 YDS, 1 TD, Bryson Barnes, QB, UTAH: 2/2 for 23 YDS, 1 TD and 1 CAR for 10 YDS, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, OSU: 15 REC for 346 YDS, 3 TD, Britain Covey, WR, UTAH: 3 REC for 34 YDS, 1 TD and 2 CAR for 10 YDS and 7 KR for 208 YDS, 1 TD, Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, OSU: 6 REC for 71 YDS, 3 TD, Buckeyes Have Bright Future with C.J. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. 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. 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, Disputed loan at center of Commanders probe, Kiper's updated NFL mock draft: Who's moving up for a QB? 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. 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. 22 overall pick. Good effort and technique as a blocker for his size. The Ohio State wideout had seen only a few downs of action in 2022. But as a 2023 NFL Draft prospect, is Smith-Njigbas scouting report stronger than his predecessors? After the departure of Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling during the 2022 off-season, many thought that a wide receiver would be on their mind in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. And Smith-Njigba holds up his end there as well. The sophomore was a supernova against the Utah secondary, hauling in 15 catches for 347 yards and three touchdowns. Going further, Smith-Njigba has the play strength to pry the ball away from DBs at the catch point. He quickly chops his feet and decelerates heading into route stems. (31%*), 30 2/8 C.J. 2022; 2021; 2020; Career; 2021 Game Logs * indicates bowl game; 2021 Game Logs Table; Receiving Punt Ret; Rk Date School Opponent Rec Yds Avg TD Ret Yds Avg TD; 1: 2021-09 . Jaxon Smith-Njigba is one of the smoothest route runners you'll . 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.