6 Ohio State won a 48 . - 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. Stroud To Be the No. . He has 15 receptions for 92 receiving yards and a score. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Seeing him against press coverage in 2021 will be key, but he projects well there. The duo didnt work together beyond one season, but it still matters. 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 . Is Ohio State WR and 2023 NFL Draft prospect Jaxon Smith-Njigba the best of the bunch from the historic 2021 OSU trio? Those things translate. Hes a route tactician with the route-running chops of an NFL veteran. Join our linker program. As a matter of policy, Sports Reference only reports the results of games as played on the field. Ultimately, however, he committed to Ohio State University. Here's everything you need to know about Smith-Njigba's NFL combine performance, measurements and results. But I just haven't had enough reps on the 40 yet, so pro day you'll see me run.". Time will tell where he gets drafted, but he's currently one of the more intriguing prospects at wide receiver in the upcoming draft. 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. MORE:Follow live updates, highlights from NFL Combine workouts. 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.". However, theres talk that Smith-Njigba may be one of the best to come out yet. 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. Smith-Njigba has done it twice this season. With lacking elite explosiveness and burst, Smith-Njigba isnt going to offer a consistent dynamic element downfield. Smith-Njigba proceeded to shatter the school's record for most receiving yards in a game, previously held by Terry Glenn with 253 yards. Speaking of which, he's a YAC machine. ANY GAME! Here's a look at Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Index Of This Post [ show] The hamstring injury occurred early in Ohio State's season opener against Notre Dame, and Smith-Njigba went on to play in parts of two more games, finishing the season with five receptions for 43 yards while running a total of 42 receiving routes. Also, in saying that, it has to be mentioned that he is plenty quick to win in the NFL. [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. 11 Utah. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Career Recap: Ohio State has been loaded with wide receiver talent year after year now, and Smith-Njigba is the program's model for the 2023 NFL Draft. He was replaced by freshman quarterback Bryson Barnes. 1 Pick, The Case for Will Levis To Be the 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. [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. 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. Draft analyst Todd McShay reported in December that Smith-Njigba was healthy enough to play in the College Football Playoffs, but chose not to. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba to miss Peach Bowl, enter 2023 NFL Draft Smith-Njigba had five receptions for 43 yards this season. 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. MORE:Updated NFL Draft big board of top 125 players overall, position rankings. . Let's take a closer look at JSN's draft profile, and whether the Bears should be interested in his services. While hes not an elite explosive threat, Smith-Njigbas cylindrical twitch is high-level, and he uses that trait to get DBs off-balance. He can manipulate defensive backs and tempo routes to maximize space. Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. January 21, 2023 11:30 pm ET. 9 College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. 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 . - His route running is superior to most wideouts in this draft class. 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. He will be an immediate asset to the run game. Jersey Pos #11 WR . 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. Smith-Njigba was the leading receiver on a team that featured last year's NFL rookie . Statistics. Its important not to speak in absolutes, but another strong season would almost assuredly grant Smith-Njigba first-round capital. 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. Scouts aren't the only football people high on Smith-Njigba. Going further, Smith-Njigba has enough explosiveness to get out into space and escape congestion after taking short passes. Jaxon Smith-Njigba believes Ohio State would have won the national championship had he been healthy all of last season. STROUD 50-YARD TD TO JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA . . Theres the regular season, and then there is rookie fever season. Smith-Njigba isnt necessarily a generational WR prospect, and other wideouts in the 2023 NFL Draft may have better athletic profiles. He tracks the ball well on long throws and is capable of being a deep threat. David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. 5 Jalin Hyatt - Tennessee. / 2023 2024 BYE WEEK. 2022; 2021; 2020; Career; Splits. You can check them all out in our 2023 dynasty draft kit. [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. That may give some teams understandable pause. Tracks the deep ball over either shoulder and brings in passes fluidly without breaking stride downfield. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN apped 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. For comparison, he entered with just five catches for 68 yards on the season. 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. The 2021 season showed what he could do, however, as he totaled 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. His size and strong lower body make him a tricky task for corners once the ball is in his hands. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN Every dynasty GM knows there is no offseason. There's no other way to put it. However, he needs more press experience on the boundary to prove it. He wont blow defenders out of their cleats, but he has the functional strength to hold running lanes or clear a path. What makes Smith-Njigbas game particularly appealing is that his mode of success is very translatable to the next level. We'll see if this matters at all when it comes to his draft stock. "I'm ready to go out and attack and show my skill set," Smith-Njigba said Friday. Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has studied Bills' Stefon Diggs since Maryland, would love to play with Josh Allen - newyorkupstate.com NFL Draft may have strongest class of tight ends in . Graduated in 2020. Let's find out. 2023 NFL Draft Highlights: Jaxon. 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. Do you have a blog? Jaxon Smith-Njigba Height, Weight and Hand Size Smith-Njigba has 326 yards receiving, which is the most in any bowl game in college football history. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Smith-Njigba as the No. Stroud and Smith-Njigba are cooking . 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. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including complete game-by-game stats on ESPN His size and strong lower body make him a tricky task for corners once the ball is in his hands. If youre like me and youve had a raging fever since Februarythe only prescription is my rookie primers. 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 . Music Outro: Eminem - Lose YourselfSecond Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8n8qjtOWK1j3tFiZAeeZ4QInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/justin_stewar. Smith-Njigba is a bit of an enigma athletically. In 44 high school games, Smith-Njigba racked up 5,346 receiving yards and 82 touchdowns. 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. But at the very least, he passes the desired threshold for an NFL starter. Smith-Njigbas very consistent catching the ball in stride to supplement run-after-catch opportunities, and he converts over the middle of the field, even with impending contact. "From playing basketball [as a kid], I feel like my creativity is what sets me apart also. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. Smith-Njigba famously capped his season in style, putting up a Rose Bowl-record 347 receiving yards in the Buckeyes' demolition of USC. 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. TOP 2023 WRs. The Ohio State WR has near-elite stopping ability. He holds the FBS Bowl Game and Ohio State single game record for most receiving yards with 347 in the 2022 Rose Bowl. Garrett Wilson still maintains that Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a better receiver than him or Chris Olave. 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. Smith-Njigba could be an immediate target hog in the NFL. Smith-Njigba is just 20 years old. On the topic of Ohio State, Smith-Njigba expressed regret that he wasn't able to play more. Moreover, hes a manipulative route runner who can adjust his tempo through reps. As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 scores. Smith-Njigba grew up in Rockwall, Texas, and attended Rockwall High School. He has 15 receptions for 92 receiving yards and a score. . *, Copyright 2010- FantasyPros.com 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. Ohio State has a type at wide receiver. 1 Pick, The Case for C.J. "The Patriots have a new offensive coordinator in Bill O'Brien and could . 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. I see myself as a top-five player in this draft. He. He lined up in the slot over 88% of the time in his dominant 2021 campaign, so that could be his primary role in the pros, but he's also capable of winning one-on-ones against corners in man or zone. You throw me the ball seven to nine times, I can win you the game.". Smith-Njigba feels 100% after injury-marred '22, Kiper's updated NFL mock draft: Who's moving up for a QB? Pro Football Network, LLC. Furthermore, he shows off exceptional reaction quickness and makes high-difficulty adjustments with very little response time. He quickly chops his feet and decelerates heading into route stems. [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. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Is he a player worth trading up for in any way? Stroud throw for 573. 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 next great one Omg @jaxon_smith1 stop it # . Career; Var 19-20; Var 18-19; Var 17-18; Var 16-17; Career Stats. He finished the 2021 season with 95 receptions for 1,595. In his final two seasons . Smith-Njigba won't take part in the 40-yard dash in this year's NFL Combine, but he still views himself among the fastest, strongest and most capable of this year's crop, a belief he reaffirmed Friday morning in Indianapolis. 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. In 44 high school games, Smith-Njigba racked up 5,346 receiving yards and 82 touchdowns. 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 . Amateur career [ edit] Smith-Njigba attended Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Texas, where he played baseball. If production was the only factor, then hed have that title locked down. Jaxon is as good as Ive ever seen, probably the best Ive ever seen. 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. Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR Prospect Join Our Discord Height 6' 0" Weight 196 lbs Arm Length - Draft Pick - 2023 College Ohio State Age 21.0 High School Workouts 4.62 46th 91.1 68th 31.1 15th 4.25 58th 76.0 15th 40-Time Speed Score Vertical Jump 20 Yard Shuttle Scouting Grade College Dominator 14.2% (11th) College YPR 12.8 (25th) College Target Share Time will tell where he gets drafted, but he's currently one of the more intriguing prospects at wide receiver in the upcoming draft. 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. As a blocker, Smith-Njigba is an energetic and high-effort player. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. Smith-Njigba's performance helped C.J. 5-ranked player overall in the state of Texas, Played in the Army All-American game in San Antonio, Compiled 5,346 career receiving yards and 82 touchdowns in 44 career games at High School, Super productive slot receiver who Led Ohio state in receptions and yardage in 2021 despite playing officially as the third receiver behind Olave and Garret Wilson, Smooth hips with outstanding agility who is equally adept at moving laterally as vertically, Has outstanding soft hands demonstrated by his impressive 141.8 QB rating when targetted in 2021. 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. Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays against Michigan State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. In 2021, he was third among FBS wide receivers (minimum 50 targets) in receiving yards (1,595) and second in YAC (790). If youre like me and youve had a raging fever since Februarythe only prescription is my rookie primers. But after a frustrating junior year, Smith-Njigba intends to show that he is the best receiver in this year's draft. [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. I don't think he'll be limited to just a slot receiver in the NFL. He also uses route angles and sudden movements at stems to generate displacement. The Buckeyes entered with a chip on their shoulder after missing out on the College Football Playoff for the first time in three years. Additionally, the Ohio State WR consistently finishes forward on RAC plays and actively uses stiff arms to delay and disrupt tackle attempts. As a prospect, he rated as the 29th overall prospect. 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. He also has enough speed to extend RAC opportunities and reach the corner on drags and digs. Neither Wilson nor Olave was an overwhelming size threat. "I see myself as a top-five player, not just a receiver. 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. Buckeyes' Smith-Njigba, Williams back vs. Iowa, Ohio State rules out Smith-Njigba, Williams. 22 overall pick. 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. Theres the regular season, and then there is rookie fever season. e's a Grade A slot receiver. Still, he had earned more . 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. Stroud completed 37 of 46 passes for 572 yards and six touchdowns against one interception. [5][6] Smith-Njigba finished his high school career with 5,346 career receiving yards and 82 touchdowns in 44 games played. Willing to go up and attack the ball. STATISTICS. He also set an Ohio State and FBS. Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays wide receiver for Ohio State in college football. XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? However, he began to heat up again as the half went on. 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. NBC4 WCMH-TV Video 81-year-old gearing up for the Arnold 5k Pump . Elsewhere, Smith-Njigba is prone to occasional focus drops, often when he has to extend beyond his frame for passes. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. I just don't really care about his 40 time. Smith-Njigbas movement style helps compound his separation ability, but hes already very proficient at using his traits effectively. Any team investing possible 1st round capital in him knows who they are getting. - Speaking of which, he's a YAC machine. NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? Menu Shop Menu Standings Menu Stats Menu Super Bowl Menu Teams Menu Tickets Menu More . Can he make the most of it and command first-round capital like they did? 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. 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. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. 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. 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. The Buckeyes are winning 45-38 thanks to the 85-yard drive capped by Smith-Njigba. I think he'll grow into a versatile all-around threat. The Ohio State WR trio of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will go down in the college football history books. Not a VIP subscriber to the Bear Report? Over the final five games of the 2021 season, the Texas native accumulated 60 receptions for 958 yards and six touchdowns. He had six drops in his 2021 campaign. The sophomore quarterback completed 17 of 22 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to rushing for 92 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries. The Case for Anthony Richardson To Be 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. Hes able to secure catches with defenders in his wheelhouse, and hes comfortable with very little space. The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer, in his latest mock draft,has Smith-Njigba going to the Chargers with the No. Has the strong hands any NFL wide receiver coach and quarterback would covet. The sophomore was a supernova against the Utah secondary, hauling in 15 catches for 347 yards and three touchdowns. 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. 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. "I was 100 percent as of two weeks ago. Going further, Smith-Njigba has the play strength to pry the ball away from DBs at the catch point. Standing at 60, 198 pounds, Smith-Njigba fits the Ohio State mold thats been reinforced in previous cycles. . He only played three games in 2022 due to a lingering. 3 Jordan Addison - USC. While Smith-Njigba is an exceptional player, there are some limitations and areas for improvement to make note of. The NFL offseason is here (silently chuckles on the inside). Jaxon has played on 4 football teams covered by MaxPreps. As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 scores. Smith-Njigba flashes the capacity for great explosion, especially when hes on the attack either surging into space or pursuing blockers. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. (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 Quentin Johnston - TCU. 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. As a result, many are interested to see how he tests at the Scouting Combine. Smith-Njigba wont burn you in the open field with his raw speed, but that isnt necessary for him to succeed. Hes tough in the middle of the defense and has proven he can make catches in congestion. Outrageous Predictions", "Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's record-setting day sparks No.
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