With lacking elite explosiveness and burst, Smith-Njigba isnt going to offer a consistent dynamic element downfield. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. As a matter of policy, Sports Reference only reports the results of games as played on the field. 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. Statistics. [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 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. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. The silver lining is that the Ohio State WR flashes great explosive capacity. 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. 3, behind Quentin Johnston (TCU) and Jordan Addison (USC). We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. He already has a rapport with Fields. Seeing him against press coverage in 2021 will be key, but he projects well there. Stats at ESPN.com. . I just don't really care about his 40 time. [7] A 5 star prospect and the #5 ranked wide receiver in the nation, Smith-Njigba received offers from many top college football programs including Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ole Miss. 1 site covering the team! "I'm ready to go out and attack and show my skill set," Smith-Njigba said Friday. After Ohio State was forced to punt on its first two drives of the game, Stroud orchestrated three consecutive touchdown drives before a fumble by Smith-Njigba close to the end zone in the second quarter. "I see myself as a top-five player, not just a receiver. Can the Lions fix their defense? - 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. Despite having most of his 2022 season wiped out by the injury, the six-foot, 197-pound Smith-Njigba is still a good bet to hear his name called in the first round of the draft, given his past production and the outstanding hands and agility he's displayed when healthy. On the topic of Ohio State, Smith-Njigba expressed regret that he wasn't able to play more. The Player the Ravens Should Be Watching at the . Smith-Njigba caught 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. Check out Jaxon Smith-Njigba's College Gamelog and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com . Career; Var 19-20; Var 18-19; Var 17-18; Var 16-17; Career Stats. 2 wideout in the class, behind Zay Flowers (Boston College), while Todd McShay has him at No. Additionally, he primarily operated out of the slot in 2021 and frequently had free releases. Finally, Smith-Njigba has shown he can sneak through arm tackles in open space with his slippery running ability and active feet. Copyright 2019-2023. 1 Pick, The Case for Will Levis To Be the No. With 15 catches for 347 yards Saturday, Jaxon Smith-Njigba became Ohio State's single-season record holder in receptions (95) and yards (1,606). 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. Addison is 6-0 175, Hyatt is 6-0 180. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. Music Outro: Eminem - Lose YourselfSecond Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8n8qjtOWK1j3tFiZAeeZ4QInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/justin_stewar. Is he a player worth trading up for in any way? 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. His brief connection to Fields makes him one of the more intriguing draft prospects for the Bears this year, and they certainly could use some solid receivers. Jan 9, 2023. His size and strong lower body make him a tricky task for corners once the ball is in his hands. If anything, Saturday's game showed us the Buckeyes are in good hands moving forward. We'll see if this matters at all when it comes to his draft stock. There is no doubt C.J. 1 Pick, The Case for Bryce Young To Be the No. Interestingly enough, while Smith-Njigba is a phenomenal prospect, his production may inflate his stock a bit past his actual value. GET BEARS NEWS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DAILY WITH OUR NEWSLETTER. Smith-Njigba struggles with injury after first catch, These five players highlight 2023 NFL mock draft. height 6' 0" college Ohio State drafted . Buckeyes' Smith-Njigba, Williams back vs. Iowa, Ohio State rules out Smith-Njigba, Williams. The Case for Anthony Richardson To Be the No. Rising is a big reason the Utes even reached the Rose Bowl, and he'll undoubtedly be a reason they play in another bowl game next season. . Smith-Njigba grew up in Rockwall, Texas, and attended Rockwall High School. He made his MLB debut in 2022. What makes Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba . Menu Shop Menu Standings Menu Stats Menu Super Bowl Menu Teams Menu Tickets Menu More . Smith-Njigba, who is listed at 6-foot, 240 pounds, is considered the Pirates' 27th-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline. . People will knock him for his long speed BUT thats not how he wins. He has good acceleration off the line and can use fast feet to gain speed as he heads upfield. "The Patriots have a new offensive coordinator in Bill O'Brien and could . The Ohio State wideout had seen only a few downs of action in 2022. He flashes the ability to stack corners on verticals from the slot easily. The Buckeyes star is surprisingly comfortable going low for passes, and he maintains his focus even as his balance is compromised. 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. 1 Pick, The Case for C.J. Before suffering an ACL tear last season, Smith-Njigba proved himself one of the most dynamic players in the country in his time in Columbus. As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 scores. Smith-Njigba's performance helped C.J. Smith-Njigba has visible lateral twitch, and he brings good energy with his movement. But after a frustrating junior year, Smith-Njigba intends to show that he is the best receiver in this year's draft. He also set an Ohio State and FBS. Rising and the Utes put together five consecutive scoring drives before ending the first half with a punt. With those hips, he can expertly manipulate short ranges, as well as use abrupt lateral movements to disrupt tackling angles. Has good body strength to squirm out of tackles with the coordination to maneuver his frame between defenders. 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. With his slightly lighter frame, hes not always going to withstand direct contact. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. That's a ringing endorsement from a future contemporary. Can he make the most of it and command first-round capital like they did? 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. And Smith-Njigba holds up his end there as well. Hes tough in the middle of the defense and has proven he can make catches in congestion. "I just think . He missed all but three games of the 2022 season because of a hamstring injury. [2] As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 touchdowns and was named the recipient of both the Landry Award and the Texas Gatorade Football Player of the Year award. 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. "From playing basketball [as a kid], I feel like my creativity is what sets me apart also. Smith-Njigba wont burn you in the open field with his raw speed, but that isnt necessary for him to succeed. Amateur career [ edit] Smith-Njigba attended Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Texas, where he played baseball. 5 Jalin Hyatt - Tennessee. [13] In that game, he also recorded 15 receptions (tying his own record set in the aforementioned Nebraska game) and passed David Boston for the single season receiving yards record at Ohio State with 1,606. 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. I see myself as a top-five player in this draft. His size and strong lower body make him a tricky task for corners once the ball is in his hands. In his final five games, he had 60 catches for 858 yards and six scores. Receiving. Emeka Egbuka, another freshman receiver, also had a nice outing with three catches for 46 yards. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. 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. The 2021 season showed what he could do, however, as he totaled 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. [16] Smith-Njigba's older brother, Canaan Smith-Njigba, plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB).[17]. Any team investing high draft capital in him knows what they are getting: a high-volume wide receiver that can work both inside and on the perimeter. He. He carries acceleration through transitions with great hip sink but also presses upfield at stems and actively employs deception. Standing at 60, 198 pounds, Smith-Njigba fits the Ohio State mold thats been reinforced in previous cycles. Who are the top WR's in the 2023 NFL draft? He wont blow defenders out of their cleats, but he has the functional strength to hold running lanes or clear a path. 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. I don't think he'll be limited to just a slot receiver in the NFL. He has 15 receptions for 92 receiving yards and a score. Has the strong hands any NFL wide receiver coach and quarterback would covet. Like other Ohio State WRs before him, Smith-Njigba isnt an overwhelming size threat. Lets find out. Even without elite explosiveness, hes still a very abrupt player whose natural suddenness provides ample value. 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. STROUD 50-YARD TD TO JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA . More Jaxon Smith-Njigba Pages. He wont always win on explosiveness alone, and he doesnt cover a ton of ground off initial explosions out of cuts. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. 19-20 Varsity Football. Jersey Pos #11 WR . UTAH HITS THE END ZONE FIRST IN THE . Those are two of the most important jobs for a wide receiver. Is Ohio State WR and 2023 NFL Draft prospect Jaxon Smith-Njigba the best of the bunch from the historic 2021 OSU trio? While Smith-Njigba is an exceptional player, there are some limitations and areas for improvement to make note of. He believes that if he had, confetti could have rained down on the scarlet and gray. MORE:Updated NFL Draft big board of top 125 players overall, position rankings. Jaxon Smith-Njigba 2023 NFL Draft Outlook Hasn't had a chance to show what he can do this past season, but what he showed as a sophomore strongly suggests he's one of the most pro-ready. 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. Time will tell where he gets drafted, but he's currently one of the more intriguing prospects at wide receiver in the upcoming draft. 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. NBC4 WCMH-TV Video 81-year-old gearing up for the Arnold 5k Pump . Stroud is incredible. Can beat the press with elusiveness or physical contact. He averaged 8.3 yards after the catch in 2021 and will likely continue that trend in the NFL. [11] On November 6, 2021, Smith-Njigba recorded 15 receptions (single game school record) for 240 yards (the second most receiving yards in a game in school history at the time) and one touchdown in a 2617 win against Nebraska. Hes more quick than fast. e's a Grade A slot receiver. He finished the 2021 season with 95 receptions for 1,595. Hes a tenacious blocker who engages well with defenders and anchors them. STATISTICS. 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 will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. Smith-Njigbas snap at the top of his stem is excellent, which allows him to create easy separation. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is one of the smoothest route runners you'll . - Speaking of which, he's a YAC machine. 11 Utah Utes 48-45 in Saturday's Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, to finish the 2021 season with an 11-2 record. C.J. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The NFL offseason is here (silently chuckles on the inside). Going further, Smith-Njigba appears to lack quantifiably elite explosive burst. And as a true sophomore in 2021, Smith-Njigba led a talented Buckeyes receiving corps in both receptions and receiving yards with 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine scores. Smith-Njigba could be an immediate target hog in the NFL. The Buckeyes entered with a chip on their shoulder after missing out on the College Football Playoff for the first time in three years. If youre like me and youve had a raging fever since Februarythe only prescription is my rookie primers. For his size, Smith-Njigba is surprisingly physical. In addition, he led a scoring drive to tie the game at 38 before helping the Buckeyes take the lead with 4:22 remaining in the fourth quarter. He had six drops in his 2021 campaign. - He's a Grade A slot receiver. [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]. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is breaking records as he scored the go-ahead touchdown on a right corner fade. For comparison, he entered with just five catches for 68 yards on the season. The Ohio State WR has great zone and blind-spot awareness, and he can exploit spaces quickly. Ohio State sophomore wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is earning high praise from coaches and teammates alike this preseason, and is preparing for an increased role in the offense. January 21, 2023 11:30 pm ET. 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. Also, in saying that, it has to be mentioned that he is plenty quick to win in the NFL. Saturday's game was Ohio State's 16th appearance in the Rose Bowl, entering with an 8-7 record in Pasadena. While hes not an elite explosive threat, Smith-Njigbas cylindrical twitch is high-level, and he uses that trait to get DBs off-balance. Stroud, Ohio State (2021)
41 - Justin Fields, Ohio State (2019)
39 - Drew Brees, Purdue (1998) , Jaxon Smith-Njigba finished the Rose Bowl with 347 Rec yds, a new bowl record and the 5th most in a game in FBS history.
The Buckeyes prevail in a thriller, 48-45 over No. Jaxon is as good as Ive ever seen, probably the best Ive ever seen. Do you have a blog? Stroud has a message for those who question whether Fields can excel as a passer and not just a runner. They won that game 64-6. Theres the regular season, and then there is rookie fever season. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including complete game-by-game stats on ESPN It was also the Buckeyes' first game against the Utes since 1986. Additionally, he can violently plant and rotate around at stems with impressive quickness. However, he began to heat up again as the half went on. What makes Smith-Njigbas game particularly appealing is that his mode of success is very translatable to the next level. Hes a guy that will do the laundry for you pic.twitter.com/oFeHCi8qPj. Stroud dropped a dime to Marvin Harrison Jr. , C.J. Smith-Njigba is listed at 6-0, 200 pounds ahead of the NFL Combine. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. 6 Ohio State still trails, 38-31 with the 4th quarter underway. 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. As it turns out, all the Buckeyes needed was Jaxon Smith-Njigba. TOP 2023 WRs. That may give some teams understandable pause. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Rising had a difficult second half, and things got even worse when he was sacked by Ohio State's Kourt Williams II and had to be taken out of the game in the fourth quarter.