2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. There's no other way to put it. 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 finished the 2021 season with 95 receptions for 1,595. He also holds Ohio State records . Smith-Njigba could be an immediate target hog in the NFL. The Case for Anthony Richardson To Be the No. If youre like me and youve had a raging fever since Februarythe only prescription is my rookie primers. Hes a route tactician with the route-running chops of an NFL veteran. Rising and the Utes put together five consecutive scoring drives before ending the first half with a punt. Does a nice job locating and tracking deep passes and is a legitimate vertical threat. / 2023 2024 BYE WEEK. Has a knack for getting open and is a quarterback's best friend - passers just need to toss the ball in his area and he'll come down with it. [14], Smith-Njigba is of half Sierra Leonean descent. Those are two of the most important jobs for a wide receiver. "I just think my playmaking ability is second to none in this draft," he said. 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. height 6' 0" college Ohio State drafted . Elsewhere, Smith-Njigba is prone to occasional focus drops, often when he has to extend beyond his frame for passes. 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. Still, he had earned more . Going further, Smith-Njigba appears to lack quantifiably elite explosive burst. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Fellow Buckeye Jaxon Smith-Njigba most likely won't be a top five pick but he believes he's that type of talent. Debating NFL draft questions, risers: Concern for Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Kayshon Boutte? Smith-Njigba (hamstring) said he's 100 percent healthy, according to ESPN's Turron Davenport. Receiving. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. January 21, 2023 11:30 pm ET. 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. Interestingly enough, while Smith-Njigba is a phenomenal prospect, his production may inflate his stock a bit past his actual value. Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba was limited to just three games in 2022 due to a hamstring injury and his decision to not participate in the College Playoff. One of his most impressive plays of the evening was breaking a tackle and rushing for a 62-yard score. MORE:Updated NFL Draft big board of top 125 players overall, position rankings. On the topic of Ohio State, Smith-Njigba expressed regret that he wasn't able to play more. 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. . Smith-Njigba isnt necessarily a generational WR prospect, and other wideouts in the 2023 NFL Draft may have better athletic profiles. However, he began to heat up again as the half went on. The Ohio State WR also has great stop-and-start ability and can break at impressive angles with his loose hips. 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 NFL offseason is here (silently chuckles on the inside). Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. 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. Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays against Michigan State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. He was a 5-star recruit and the fifth WR in his class. Jaxon Smith-njigba Stats, News, Fantasy Football Rankings Jaxon Smith-Njigba Wide Receiver Number # AGE 21 weight 198 lbs. STROUD 50-YARD TD TO JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA . Smith-Njigba has visible lateral twitch, and he brings good energy with his movement. . 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. 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. 1 Quentin Johnston - TCU. He made his MLB debut in 2022. In 2021, Smith-Njigba was the third receiver behind Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, but Smith-Njigba still managed to dominate the competition. 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. Canaan Elijah Smith-Njigba (born April 30, 1999) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). If anything, Saturday's game showed us the Buckeyes are in good hands moving forward. Additionally, he primarily operated out of the slot in 2021 and frequently had free releases. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. [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. Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been widely recognized as one of the top wide receiver prospects in the upcoming draft class after his breakout season in 2021 that saw him outpace two future . Theres the regular season, and then there is rookie fever season. Former OSU teammate Garrett Wilson the No. As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 scores. 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 team's desire to add playmaking to their passing game. 11 Utah Utes 48-45 in Saturday's Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, to finish the 2021 season with an 11-2 record. Stroud dropped a dime to Marvin Harrison Jr. , C.J. NBC4 WCMH-TV Video 81-year-old gearing up for the Arnold 5k Pump . Like other Ohio State WRs before him, Smith-Njigba isnt an overwhelming size threat. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Smith-Njigba's central role in the offense was expected to be a major part of OSU's identity as a national championship contender. 2022; 2021; 2020; Career; Splits. 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. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State) . A hamstring injury limited him to three games in 2022, though. It's impossible to predict where he could go in the upcoming draft, though. Ultimately, however, he committed to Ohio State University. He also uses route angles and sudden movements at stems to generate displacement. If youre like me and youve had a raging fever since Februarythe only prescription is my rookie primers. 10 overall to the Jets) and Chris Olave (No. [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. Not a VIP subscriber to the Bear Report? [1] As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. 1 Pick, The Case for C.J. - Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. Here's everything you need to know about Smith-Njigba's NFL combine performance, measurements and results. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN "I was 100 percent as of two weeks ago. Smith-Njigbas movement style helps compound his separation ability, but hes already very proficient at using his traits effectively. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. He has good acceleration off the line and can use fast feet to gain speed as he heads upfield. Or write about sports? "From playing basketball [as a kid], I feel like my creativity is what sets me apart also. He carries acceleration through transitions with great hip sink but also presses upfield at stems and actively employs deception. Stats. Hes not the most explosive or the fastest receiver, but hes a methodical route runner who can employ his brand of athleticism extremely efficiently. You don't currently have any notifications. Current draft projection for Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Even without elite explosiveness, hes still a very abrupt player whose natural suddenness provides ample value. Neither Wilson nor Olave was an overwhelming size threat. 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. Stroud completed 37 of 46 passes for 572 yards and six touchdowns against one interception. While hes not an elite explosive threat, Smith-Njigbas cylindrical twitch is high-level, and he uses that trait to get DBs off-balance. Smith-Njigba wont burn you in the open field with his raw speed, but that isnt necessary for him to succeed. 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. (19%*), 75 3/8 NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? 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. He has 15 receptions for 92 receiving yards and a score. Stroud. Also, in saying that, it has to be mentioned that he is plenty quick to win in the NFL. Stroud tossed an interception on the opening drive of the second half. 2 Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Ohio State. "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? Some of Smith-Njigbas traits suggest that he can translate well against press coverage. 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. 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. Terry Glenn previously held the record, having recorded 253 yards against Pitt in 1995. Some school's results have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties. Going further, Smith-Njigba has enough explosiveness to get out into space and escape congestion after taking short passes. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is breaking records as he scored the go-ahead touchdown on a right corner fade. If production was the only factor, then hed have that title locked down. Smith-Njigba was born and raised in Rockwall, Texas, and graduated from Rockwall High School. Emeka Egbuka, another freshman receiver, also had a nice outing with three catches for 46 yards. Has the strong hands any NFL wide receiver coach and quarterback would covet. *, Copyright 2010- FantasyPros.com *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine 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. - He's a Grade A slot receiver. Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba is seen as one of the top wide receiver prospects ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. He can also pinch tight angles around defensive backs while accelerating, showing off valuable ankle flexion. The Ohio State WR is a natural hands catcher, with incredibly smooth body control in the open field when adjusting for throws. Jersey Pos #11 WR . Stats at ESPN.com. He can contort in stride and corral tough passes with ease. Ohio State sophomore wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba had one of the most epic Rose Bowl performances of all time -- literally one for the record books -- on Saturday as No. College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. Graduated in 2020. 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. 2 Appearances Receiving Yards 2021 1606 (#1) Big Ten 3 Appearances Receiving Yards Per Reception 2021 16.9 (#5) Big Ten Receiving Touchdowns 2021 9 (#5) Big Ten Yards From Scrimmage 2021 1606 (#2) Big Ten More Jaxon Smith-Njigba Pages Jaxon Smith-Njigba Overview Game Logs 2022 2021 2020 Career Splits 2022 2021 2020 Career 6 Ohio State won a 48 . Career; Var 19-20; Var 18-19; Var 17-18; Var 16-17; Career Stats. 1 site covering the team! Here's a look at Jaxon Smith-Njigba. His receiving yard total is a new. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Smith-Njigba as the No. 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. [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. 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. ", Smith-Njigba feels 100% after injury-marred '22, Jones: Not fixated on Cowboys' drought, just '23, Sources: Raiders plan franchise tag for Jacobs, WR Addison to Steelers' Pickett: 'Come get me', Wolverines' Turner wows with 4.26 40 at combine, Top QB prospect Levis eager to unleash 'cannon', QB Bennett addresses off-field issues at combine, Campbell: Lamar wants deal done with Ravens, Alabama QB Young undeterred by size questions, The most memorable pre-NFL draft workouts ever: Coaches, scouts, execs make their picks, 2023 NFL franchise tag tracker: Raiders tag Josh Jacobs, the NFL's rushing leader, Browns' offense: Grading positions ahead of free agency, 2023 draft, Jaguars won't spend big, but here are five players they could target in free agency. Scouts aren't the only football people high on Smith-Njigba. - Hes difficult to bring down. Menu Shop Menu Standings Menu Stats Menu Super Bowl Menu Teams Menu Tickets Menu More . While Smith-Njigba is an exceptional player, there are some limitations and areas for improvement to make note of. Jaxon Smith-Njigba's Football Stats. Saturday's game was Ohio State's 16th appearance in the Rose Bowl, entering with an 8-7 record in Pasadena. The Buckeyes star is surprisingly comfortable going low for passes, and he maintains his focus even as his balance is compromised. Heres a look at what Smith-Njigba has to offer and where he stands in a crowded 2023 NFL Draft wide receiver class.