Here's everything you need to know about Smith-Njigba's NFL combine performance, measurements and results. As it turns out, all the Buckeyes needed was Jaxon Smith-Njigba. But at 6-1 and 200 pounds, running in the upper 4.4s, he is hardly just a slot guy. [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 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. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. He tracks the ball well on long throws and is capable of being a deep threat. 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. MORE:Updated NFL Draft big board of top 125 players overall, position rankings. Moreover, hes a manipulative route runner who can adjust his tempo through reps. The duo didnt work together beyond one season, but it still matters. He understands leverage and can effectively direct DBs away from runners. The Ohio State WR has near-elite stopping ability. All Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. - His route running is superior to most wideouts in this draft class. Going further, Smith-Njigba has enough explosiveness to get out into space and escape congestion after taking short passes. Smith-Njigba dominated during his high school career and had over 5,300 receiving yards and 63 receiving touchdowns, with little of that production coming in his freshmen season. He was a five-star recruit from Rockwall (Texas) High School. Smith-Njigba entered Ohio State in 2020 with a ton of pedigree. (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. 1 Pick, The Case for Will Levis To Be the No. As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 scores. And when the ball comes his way, Smith-Njigba has rare instincts and excellent hands. As a blocker, Smith-Njigba is an energetic and high-effort player. Interestingly enough, while Smith-Njigba is a phenomenal prospect, his production may inflate his stock a bit past his actual value. "I just think . Let's take a closer look at JSN's draft profile, and whether the Bears should be interested in his services. pic.twitter.com/jtvAYPnKH5. Rushing. Smith -Njigba played minimally with Bears . You can check them all out in our 2023 dynasty draft kit. If youre like me and youve had a raging fever since Februarythe only prescription is my rookie primers. Copyright 2019-2023. The NFL offseason is here (silently chuckles on the inside). He wont always win on explosiveness alone, and he doesnt cover a ton of ground off initial explosions out of cuts. He only played three games in 2022 due to a lingering. C.J. . [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]. 2022; 2021; 2020; Career; Splits. Smith-Njigba struggles with injury after first catch, These five players highlight 2023 NFL mock draft. David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. Index Of This Post [ show] Smith-Njigba is already a proficient separator, but he doesnt rely on separation to win. Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is one of the top prospects, regardless of position, as the college football season kicks off and we look ahead to the 2023 NFL Draft. . Is he a player worth trading up for in any way? Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. He had six drops in his 2021 campaign. Additionally, the Ohio State WR consistently finishes forward on RAC plays and actively uses stiff arms to delay and disrupt tackle attempts. As a matter of policy, Sports Reference only reports the results of games as played on the field. He made his MLB debut in 2022. Finally, Smith-Njigba has shown he can sneak through arm tackles in open space with his slippery running ability and active feet. Fellow Buckeye Jaxon Smith-Njigba most likely won't be a top five pick but he believes he's that type of talent. Rising and the Utes put together five consecutive scoring drives before ending the first half with a punt. More Jaxon Smith-Njigba Pages. 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. It should also be noted that the Buckeyes were without a whopping 24 players against Utah for various reasons, which makes their performance even more impressive. He hit .258 with .760 OPS last season, missing almost six weeks with a right thigh injury. He was replaced by freshman quarterback Bryson Barnes. The Ohio State WR is a natural hands catcher, with incredibly smooth body control in the open field when adjusting for throws. 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. He missed all but three games of the 2022 season because of a hamstring injury. - He tracks the ball well on long throws and is capable of being a deep threat. Pro Football Network, LLC. 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. A new home for Michael Thomas? 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. Rising didn't begin the 2021 campaign as Utah's starting quarterback but earned the position after taking over for Charlie Brewer in an overtime loss to San Diego State on Sept. 18 and led the Utes to a Pac-12 championship. The Case for Anthony Richardson To Be the No. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero: Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will do every test except 40-yard dash at 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Stroud throw for 573. Smith-Njigba was born and raised in Rockwall, Texas, and graduated from Rockwall High School. His height, weight, and length are all likely close to the median for wide receivers. 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. Ultimately, however, he committed to Ohio State University. For comparison, he entered with just five catches for 68 yards on the season. He uses violent targeted swats to combat jams and swipes down arms at the catch point. January 21, 2023 11:30 pm ET. Its important not to speak in absolutes, but another strong season would almost assuredly grant Smith-Njigba first-round capital. I see myself as a top-five player in this draft. Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. Has good body strength to squirm out of tackles with the coordination to maneuver his frame between defenders. NBA Stats. Terry Glenn previously held the record, having recorded 253 yards against Pitt in 1995. However, theres talk that Smith-Njigba may be one of the best to come out yet. 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 . , Most TD passes in single season by B1G QB, all-time:

50 - Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State (2018)
41 - C.J. Smith-Njigba's central role in the offense was expected to be a major part of OSU's identity as a national championship contender. Has dominated at the college level but doesn't have any elite traits that translate to the pro game - athletically he's good not great, Doesn't have any serious explosion to his game and may find it difficult to separate at the NFL level, Has good but not great speed and doesn't possess elite athletic skills, Has missed a major chunk of his junior year with a hamstring injury - will have to demonstrate this is the exception rather than the rule for him, Has had a few more drops than you would hope for in a top wideout - mostly due to occasional lapses of concentration rather than anything more intrinsic, Spent most of his college career playing in the slot - so it remains to be seen how he will stand up as an outside threat. Hes a fairly easy accelerator who generates solid initial momentum and can freely throttle up and down. Smith-Njigba wont burn you in the open field with his raw speed, but that isnt necessary for him to succeed. Outrageous Predictions", "Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's record-setting day sparks No. I think he'll grow into a versatile all-around threat. Some school's results have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties. 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. Career; Var 19-20; Var 18-19; Var 17-18; Var 16-17; Career Stats. Theres the regular season, and then there is rookie fever season. Speaking of which, he's a YAC machine. Saturday's game was Ohio State's 16th appearance in the Rose Bowl, entering with an 8-7 record in Pasadena. Jaxon Smith-Njigba's Football Stats. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. Stroud and Smith-Njigba are cooking . Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State) . Smith-Njigba is now the Ohio State record holder for the most receiving yards in a game. - Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. - He has had an issue hanging onto the ball at times. Coming to the team, it was assumed he would have to wait his time sitting behind a loaded receiving core for the Buckeyes. Is Ohio State WR and 2023 NFL Draft prospect Jaxon Smith-Njigba the best of the bunch from the historic 2021 OSU trio? Stroud is incredible. Smith-Njigba turned down offers from multiple in-state schools and decided to take his talents to Columbus. The last time Ohio State took the field, Ryan Day's squad was embarrassed in a 42-27 loss to Michigan. 5 Jalin Hyatt - Tennessee. If the Bears have a chance to snag him, JSN feels like one of the few no-brainers of the draft. 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. Hes a tenacious blocker who engages well with defenders and anchors them. 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. Those things translate. 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. While Smith-Njigba is an exceptional player, there are some limitations and areas for improvement to make note of. TOP 2023 WRs. 1 Pick. STATISTICS. 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 tossed an interception on the opening drive of the second half. 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. The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer, in his latest mock draft,has Smith-Njigba going to the Chargers with the No. Smith-Njigba has visible lateral twitch, and he brings good energy with his movement. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. However, he needs more press experience on the boundary to prove it. . MORE:Follow live updates, highlights from NFL Combine workouts. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. He wont blow defenders out of their cleats, but he has the functional strength to hold running lanes or clear a path. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Stats: 2021 (251 FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets) Yards per route run: 1st; PFF receiving grade: 1st; Career Breakout age: 75th percentile (19.6) Jaxon is as good as Ive ever seen, probably the best Ive ever seen. Hes not the most explosive or the fastest receiver, but hes a methodical route runner who can employ his brand of athleticism extremely efficiently. Another component that helps Smith-Njigba, however, is his agility and ease of motion. 11 Utah and 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. That's a ringing endorsement from a future contemporary. Graduated in 2020. "I was 100 percent as of two weeks ago. Stroud dropped a dime to Marvin Harrison Jr. , C.J. Smith-Njigba caught 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. 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.". I think the best way to describe Jaxon Smith-Njigba is that hes a quarterbacks Phone-a-Friend pic.twitter.com/ZykxbLB2bG. Any team investing possible 1st round capital in him knows who they are getting. Stroud. Still, he had earned more than a few admirers, interviewer after interviewer peppering him with questions. The NFL offseason is here (silently chuckles on the inside). 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. The Buckeyes are winning 45-38 thanks to the 85-yard drive capped by Smith-Njigba. [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. In 2022, Fields rushed for 1,143 yardsthe second most by a quarterback in NFL historyand eight touchdowns and threw for 2,242 yards with 17 TDs, 11 interceptions and an 85.2 passer rating. 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. Smith-Njigba grew up in Rockwall, Texas, and attended Rockwall High School. Additionally, he primarily operated out of the slot in 2021 and frequently had free releases. Elsewhere, Smith-Njigba is prone to occasional focus drops, often when he has to extend beyond his frame for passes. Hes a route tactician with the route-running chops of an NFL veteran. Do you have a blog? The silver lining is that the Ohio State WR flashes great explosive capacity. Smith-Njigba is a bit of an enigma athletically. Current draft projection for Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. 1 Quentin Johnston - TCU. Scouts aren't the only football people high on Smith-Njigba. He has 15 receptions for 92 receiving yards and a score. As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 scores. Jaxon Smith-Njigba 2022 stats* 2021 stats REC 95 YDS 1606 TDS 9 *Updated through Nov. 5, 2022 2022 season updates Nov. 2 A hamstring injury has robbed Smith-Njigba of almost his. He averaged 8.3 yards after the catch in 2021 and will likely continue that trend in the NFL. Every dynasty GM knows there is no offseason. 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). Tracks the deep ball over either shoulder and brings in passes fluidly without breaking stride downfield. With lacking elite explosiveness and burst, Smith-Njigba isnt going to offer a consistent dynamic element downfield. In 2021, he earned third-team All-America after snagging 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore. . It's impossible to predict where he could go in the upcoming draft, though. Rice is 6-0 200, Flowers is 5-9 180. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. Harrison, a freshman, also had the best game of his career with Olave and Wilson out of the lineup. It was the most receiving yards by anyone in bowl history. College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. 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 . 6 Ohio State won a 48 . 6 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. 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. If anything, Saturday's game showed us the Buckeyes are in good hands moving forward. 11 Utah. He can manipulate defensive backs and tempo routes to maximize space. Canaan Elijah Smith-Njigba (born April 30, 1999) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). Let's find out. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. It was also the Buckeyes' first game against the Utes since 1986. [5][6] Smith-Njigba finished his high school career with 5,346 career receiving yards and 82 touchdowns in 44 games played. 3 Jordan Addison - USC. 11 overall to New Orleans), Broke 20-year-old Big Ten receiving yards record (1,545 yards in 2001 by Lee Evan, Wisconsin) with his 1,606 receiving yards in 2021, 95 receptions rank fifth-most in Big Ten history, Set Rose Bowl records with 347 receiving yards and 15 receptions with three touchdowns and was named offensive most valuable player, 2021: Rose Bowl game MVP; Third-team All-American (Associated Press), Named the Texas 6A State Player of the Year - No. Smith-Njigba can manipulate and change his route path in tight spaces while keeping his speed. Game Logs. "From playing basketball [as a kid], I feel like my creativity is what sets me apart also. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN Hes an extremely sudden, amped-up mover who stores immense amounts of potential energy within his frame.

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