He holds the FBS Bowl Game and Ohio State single game record for most receiving yards with 347 in the 2022 Rose Bowl. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State) . 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. It did not take long for Smith-Njigba to support those remarks. 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. Time will tell where he gets drafted, but he's currently one of the more intriguing prospects at wide receiver in the upcoming draft. 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 historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). Join our linker program. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. - 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. Find out more. 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. Additionally, he can violently plant and rotate around at stems with impressive quickness. 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. 1 Pick. Some school's results have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties. 1 Pick, The Case for Will Levis To Be the No. (19%*), 75 3/8 Check out Jaxon Smith-Njigba's College Gamelog and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com . - Hes difficult to bring down. He also set an Ohio State and FBS. Smith-Njigba has visible lateral twitch, and he brings good energy with his movement. Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba In the 2022 Rose Bowl that was played at the end of the 2021 college football season between No. Draft analyst Todd McShay reported in December that Smith-Njigba was healthy enough to play in the College Football Playoffs, but chose not to. He averaged 8.3 yards after the catch in 2021 and will likely continue that trend in the NFL. Hes able to secure catches with defenders in his wheelhouse, and hes comfortable with very little space. Heres a look at what Smith-Njigba has to offer and where he stands in a crowded 2023 NFL Draft wide receiver class. 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. What makes Smith-Njigbas game particularly appealing is that his mode of success is very translatable to the next level. Saturday's game was Ohio State's 16th appearance in the Rose Bowl, entering with an 8-7 record in Pasadena. The last time Ohio State took the field, Ryan Day's squad was embarrassed in a 42-27 loss to Michigan. Does a nice job locating and tracking deep passes and is a legitimate vertical threat. His height, weight, and length are all likely close to the median for wide receivers. He flashes the ability to stack corners on verticals from the slot easily. Stroud is incredible. 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. Rice is 6-0 200, Flowers is 5-9 180. Or write about sports? Smith-Njigba was the leading receiver on a team that featured last year's NFL rookie . Smith-Njigba is a possession slot receiver who lacks the shake to separate underneath and the speed to run past defenses. Smith-Njigba is listed at 6-0, 200 pounds ahead of the NFL Combine. / 2023 2024 BYE WEEK. 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. 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. And already, he looks like a man amongst boys. 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. Smith-Njigbas snap at the top of his stem is excellent, which allows him to create easy separation. Smith-Njigba famously capped his season in style, putting up a Rose Bowl-record 347 receiving yards in the Buckeyes' demolition of USC. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. 11 Utah. hamstring injury limited him to three games in 2022, though. Expectations were high after Smith-Njigba's stellar Rose Bowl performance in which he caught 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns that put an exclamation point on a 2021 season in which he set a Big Ten record with 1,606 yards. 1 Pick, The Case for C.J. 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. 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. However, he began to heat up again as the half went on. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. MORE:Tracking the fastest 40 times from the 2023 NFL Combine, "My playmaking ability is second to none," Smith-Njigba said. 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. More Jaxon Smith-Njigba Pages. Hes tough in the middle of the defense and has proven he can make catches in congestion. - Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. 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. 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. In 44 high school games, Smith-Njigba racked up 5,346 receiving yards and 82 touchdowns. "I just think . 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. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Jan 9, 2023. 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 . . He also holds Ohio State records . Let's take a closer look at JSN's draft profile, and whether the Bears should be interested in his services. 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. He wont always win on explosiveness alone, and he doesnt cover a ton of ground off initial explosions out of cuts. Pro Football Network, LLC. They won that game 64-6. 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. 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 . As a freshman, Smith-Njigba was a depth piece who would get a few snaps a game. Any team investing possible 1st round capital in him knows who they are getting. Runs elite crisp routes with sharp cuts. I just don't really care about his 40 time. Jaxon Smith-Njigba's Football Stats. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN Resting on the podium overlooking a gaggle of reporters, Jaxon Smith-Njigba looked a composed figure. He finished the 2021 season with 95 receptions for 1,595. Stroud throw for 573. Smith-Njigba caught 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021. Stroud completed 37 of 46 passes for 572 yards and six touchdowns against one interception. Hes tough in the middle of the defense and has proven he can make catches in congestion. 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. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. ", 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. See our list of forfeits and vacated games for more details. Outrageous Predictions", "Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's record-setting day sparks No. There is no doubt C.J. Going further, Smith-Njigba has the play strength to pry the ball away from DBs at the catch point. 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 . Smith-Njigba was ninth in yards per route run on deep targets, tied for first in PFF deep receiving grade, and second in passer rating when targeted on routes 20-plus yards in 2021 (minimum 15 deep targets). Receiving. As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 scores. Could the Cowboys look at a running back in first round again? Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. Still, a first-round selection is a pretty good consolation prize. A native of Rockwall, TX, Smith-Njigba has impressive route-running, agility, and a knack for making plays with the ball in his hands. The Case for Anthony Richardson To Be the No. 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. Buckeyes' Smith-Njigba, Williams back vs. Iowa, Ohio State rules out Smith-Njigba, Williams. His receiving yard total is a new. 2023 NFL Draft Highlights: Jaxon. Who are the top WR's in the 2023 NFL draft? 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. 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. Is Ohio State WR and 2023 NFL Draft prospect Jaxon Smith-Njigba the best of the bunch from the historic 2021 OSU trio? [5][6] Smith-Njigba finished his high school career with 5,346 career receiving yards and 82 touchdowns in 44 games played. Can the Lions fix their defense? Are you looking to contact Customer Support about a subscription or account related question? Stroud To Be the No. In addition to Stroud, Smith-Njigba, who had a record-setting night, and Marvin Harrison Jr. also had incredible evenings. Smith-Njigba is a favorite to not only break into Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft but also be one of the first wide receivers off the board. Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays against Michigan State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. He carries acceleration through transitions with great hip sink but also presses upfield at stems and actively employs deception. MORE:Updated NFL Draft big board of top 125 players overall, position rankings. NBA Stats. Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba is seen as one of the top wide receiver prospects ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. 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. [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. The Ohio State wideout had seen only a few downs of action in 2022. Smith-Njigba was born and raised in Rockwall, Texas, and graduated from Rockwall High School. It's officially NFL draft season, so it's time to get to know the best players at every positions in the 2023 class. [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]. Game Logs. Another component that helps Smith-Njigba, however, is his agility and ease of motion. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. C.J. He hit .258 with .760 OPS last season, missing almost six weeks with a right thigh injury. I doubt it matters what anyone thinks of Smith-Njigba because he likely won't be available at 25. 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. But at 6-1 and 200 pounds, running in the upper 4.4s, he is hardly just a slot guy. 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. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. I think he'll grow into a versatile all-around threat. 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. Smith-Njigba can manipulate and change his route path in tight spaces while keeping his speed. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. The Ohio State WR has near-elite stopping ability. However, he needs more press experience on the boundary to prove it. 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. 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. He tracks the ball well on long throws and is capable of being a deep threat. 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? The Buckeyes are winning 45-38 thanks to the 85-yard drive capped by Smith-Njigba. 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. He was a five-star recruit from Rockwall (Texas) High School. - He tracks the ball well on long throws and is capable of being a deep threat. 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. [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. Finally, Smith-Njigba has shown he can sneak through arm tackles in open space with his slippery running ability and active feet. He had six drops in his 2021 campaign. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN 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 struggles with injury after first catch (0:19) Jaxon Smith-Njigba takes a big hit on his first catch and doesn't come back in the game until late in the second quarter. 3 Jordan Addison - USC. He tossed a touchdown on his second drive of the third quarter before OSU tacked on a field goal to cut into Utah's lead, dicing the score to 38-31. Statistics. All rights reserved. - He has had an issue hanging onto the ball at times. 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. There's no other way to put it. However, theres talk that Smith-Njigba may be one of the best to come out yet. Good effort and technique as a blocker for his size. 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. He will be an immediate asset to the run game. He can contort in stride and corral tough passes with ease. Resting on the podium overlooking a gaggle of reporters, Jaxon Smith-Njigba looked a composed figure. Smith-Njigba grew up in Rockwall, Texas, and attended Rockwall High School. He wins with excellent, quick footwork at the line and in space. I think the best way to describe Jaxon Smith-Njigba is that hes a quarterbacks Phone-a-Friend pic.twitter.com/ZykxbLB2bG. - He already has a rapport with Fields. He quickly chops his feet and decelerates heading into route stems. But I just haven't had enough reps on the 40 yet, so pro day you'll see me run.". He uses violent targeted swats to combat jams and swipes down arms at the catch point. Scouts aren't the only football people high on Smith-Njigba. He wont blow defenders out of their cleats, but he has the functional strength to hold running lanes or clear a path. NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? His size and strong lower body make him a tricky task for corners once the ball is in his hands. "From playing basketball [as a kid], I feel like my creativity is what sets me apart also. 1 Pick, The Case for Bryce Young To Be the No. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Jaxon Smith-Njigba Height, Weight and Hand Size Those things translate. It was the most receiving yards by anyone in bowl history. With those hips, he can expertly manipulate short ranges, as well as use abrupt lateral movements to disrupt tackling angles. 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). Additionally, the Ohio State WR consistently finishes forward on RAC plays and actively uses stiff arms to delay and disrupt tackle attempts. He can create in minimal space with the best of them. He was named a starter at the slot receiver position for the Buckeyes going into his sophomore season. Like other Ohio State WRs before him, Smith-Njigba isnt an overwhelming size threat. He also has enough speed to extend RAC opportunities and reach the corner on drags and digs. While hes not an elite explosive threat, Smith-Njigbas cylindrical twitch is high-level, and he uses that trait to get DBs off-balance. e's a Grade A slot receiver. Speaking of which, he's a YAC machine. Smith-Njigba has done it twice this season. Ohio State has a type at wide receiver. Interestingly enough, while Smith-Njigba is a phenomenal prospect, his production may inflate his stock a bit past his actual value. Jaxon Smith-Njigba's NFL Combine profile. Hes difficult to bring down. Three trades in a chaotic top five, NFL draft questions, predictions for combine workouts: Potential risers, top QBs and burners to watch, Played college football at Cheyney University.
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