He missed all but three games of the 2022 season because of a hamstring injury. 1 site covering the team! The last time Ohio State took the field, Ryan Day's squad was embarrassed in a 42-27 loss to Michigan. [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. Smith-Njigbas movement style helps compound his separation ability, but hes already very proficient at using his traits effectively. And looking at his evaluation, that early-round billing is warranted. Stroud and Smith-Njigba are cooking . All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. In 2021, he was third among FBS wide receivers (minimum 50 targets) in receiving yards (1,595) and second in YAC (790). Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. Often used on deep routes, getting separation down the sideline or over the middle on crossing routes by extending his arms rather than pure speed. Theres the regular season, and then there is rookie fever season. However, he began to heat up again as the half went on. Scouts aren't the only football people high on Smith-Njigba. The NFL offseason is here (silently chuckles on the inside). [5][6] Smith-Njigba finished his high school career with 5,346 career receiving yards and 82 touchdowns in 44 games played. Even without elite explosiveness, hes still a very abrupt player whose natural suddenness provides ample value. He has had an issue hanging onto the ball at times. Still, he had earned more . The No. / 2023 2024 BYE WEEK. 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. 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 . "The Patriots have a new offensive coordinator in Bill O'Brien and could . 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. But at the very least, he passes the desired threshold for an NFL starter. 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. [1] Does a nice job locating and tracking deep passes and is a legitimate vertical threat. Copyright 2019-2023. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). 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. Theres the regular season, and then there is rookie fever season. 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. 1 Pick. 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-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. After that performance, he was touted as one of the top prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. Entering 2022, Smith-Njigba had been projected as one of the top wide receivers in the country. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is one of the smoothest route runners you'll . Interestingly enough, while Smith-Njigba is a phenomenal prospect, his production may inflate his stock a bit past his actual value. The Case for Anthony Richardson To Be the No. pic.twitter.com/jtvAYPnKH5. Going further, Smith-Njigba appears to lack quantifiably elite explosive burst. Graduated in 2020. We present them here for purely educational purposes. . 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. Tracks the deep ball over either shoulder and brings in passes fluidly without breaking stride downfield. Furthermore, he shows off exceptional reaction quickness and makes high-difficulty adjustments with very little response time. 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. In 44 high school games, Smith-Njigba racked up 5,346 receiving yards and 82 touchdowns. With those hips, he can expertly manipulate short ranges, as well as use abrupt lateral movements to disrupt tackling angles. 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. If production was the only factor, then hed have that title locked down. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including complete game-by-game stats on ESPN 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. Buckeyes' Smith-Njigba, Williams back vs. Iowa, Ohio State rules out Smith-Njigba, Williams. He earned rave reviews from a number of media outlets. 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. 1 Pick, The Case for C.J. Garrett Wilson in 2021 on Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He will be an immediate asset to the run game. He holds the FBS Bowl Game and Ohio State single game record for most receiving yards with 347 in the 2022 Rose Bowl. 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. Canaan Elijah Smith-Njigba (born April 30, 1999) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). With lacking elite explosiveness and burst, Smith-Njigba isnt going to offer a consistent dynamic element downfield. Still, he had earned more than a few admirers, interviewer after interviewer peppering him with questions. Going further, Smith-Njigba has enough explosiveness to get out into space and escape congestion after taking short passes. 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. Hes a tenacious blocker who engages well with defenders and anchors them. The next great one Omg @jaxon_smith1 stop it # . There is no doubt C.J. However, he needs more press experience on the boundary to prove it. 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 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. 6 Ohio State won a 48 . 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. - He's a Grade A slot receiver. That's a ringing endorsement from a future contemporary. Could the Cowboys look at a running back in first round again? But after a frustrating junior year, Smith-Njigba intends to show that he is the best receiver in this year's draft. STROUD 50-YARD TD TO JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA . Stroud is incredible. Smith-Njigbas snap at the top of his stem is excellent, which allows him to create easy separation. 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). Smith-Njigba turned down offers from multiple in-state schools and decided to take his talents to Columbus. 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.". Garrett Wilson still maintains that Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a better receiver than him or Chris Olave. 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. NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? A native of Rockwall, TX, Smith-Njigba has impressive route-running, agility, and a knack for making plays with the ball in his hands. You can check them all out in our 2023 dynasty draft kit. 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. Elsewhere, Smith-Njigba is prone to occasional focus drops, often when he has to extend beyond his frame for passes. In 44 high school games, Smith-Njigba racked up 5,346 receiving yards and 82 touchdowns. People will knock him for his long speed BUT thats not how he wins. 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. For comparison, he entered with just five catches for 68 yards on the season. He set a Big Ten single-season record with 1,606 . Also, in saying that, it has to be mentioned that he is plenty quick to win in the NFL. Standing at 60, 198 pounds, Smith-Njigba fits the Ohio State mold thats been reinforced in previous cycles. Smith-Njigba entered Ohio State in 2020 with a ton of pedigree. Smith-Njigba proceeded to shatter the school's record for most receiving yards in a game, previously held by Terry Glenn with 253 yards. Smith-Njigba feels 100% after injury-marred '22, Kiper's updated NFL mock draft: Who's moving up for a QB? Plays Football. Outrageous Predictions", "Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's record-setting day sparks No. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN He also sometimes lacks the strength to maintain key blocks on the outside. He understands leverage and can effectively direct DBs away from runners. 1 Pick, The Case for Bryce Young To Be the No. Can the Lions fix their defense? In his final five games, he had 60 catches for 858 yards and six scores. UTAH HITS THE END ZONE FIRST IN THE . He finished the 2021 season with 95 receptions for 1,595. 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. I don't think he'll be limited to just a slot receiver in the NFL. It's impossible to predict where he could go in the upcoming draft, though. 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. 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. Rising didn't have a performance quite like Stroud's, but he's still worth talking about. Coming to the team, it was assumed he would have to wait his time sitting behind a loaded receiving core for the Buckeyes. He flashes the ability to stack corners on verticals from the slot easily. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. All Rights Reserved. Willing to go up and attack the ball. David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. If the Bears have a chance to snag him, JSN feels like one of the few no-brainers of the draft. What makes Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba . As a blocker, Smith-Njigba is an energetic and high-effort player. TOP 2023 WRs. Has good body strength to squirm out of tackles with the coordination to maneuver his frame between defenders. The Ohio State WR is a natural hands catcher, with incredibly smooth body control in the open field when adjusting for throws. MORE:Tracking the fastest 40 times from the 2023 NFL Combine, "My playmaking ability is second to none," Smith-Njigba said. Smith -Njigba played minimally with Bears . ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Smith-Njigba as the No. Additionally, he can violently plant and rotate around at stems with impressive quickness. Resting on the podium overlooking a gaggle of reporters, Jaxon Smith-Njigba looked a composed figure. MORE:Updated NFL Draft big board of top 125 players overall, position rankings. In his junior season, Smith-Njigba led the Dallas region with 97 catches for 1,828 yards and 20 touchdowns. The Ohio State wideout had seen only a few downs of action in 2022. In 2021, he earned third-team All-America after snagging 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore. Ohio State star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to miss College Football Playoff matchup versus Georgia See all videos Verified Results Forty 4.59 Seconds The Opening Finals 07/01/19 Shuttle 3.91. Saturday's game was Ohio State's 16th appearance in the Rose Bowl, entering with an 8-7 record in Pasadena. He also has the most receiving yards in Rose Bowl game history. *, Copyright 2010- FantasyPros.com It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. We'll see if this matters at all when it comes to his draft stock. Stroud tossed an interception on the opening drive of the second half. He has very fluid hips. He was a 5-star recruit and the fifth WR in his class. He made his MLB debut in 2022. But I just haven't had enough reps on the 40 yet, so pro day you'll see me run.". "I'm ready to go out and attack and show my skill set," Smith-Njigba said Friday. 11 Utah Utes 48-45 in Saturday's Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, to finish the 2021 season with an 11-2 record. - His route running is superior to most wideouts in this draft class. He finished with six catches for 71 yards and three touchdowns. Music Outro: Eminem - Lose YourselfSecond Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8n8qjtOWK1j3tFiZAeeZ4QInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/justin_stewar. 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. ", 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.
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 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. 6 Ohio State won a 48 . 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. - He's a Grade A slot receiver. That's a ringing endorsement from a future contemporary. Could the Cowboys look at a running back in first round again? But after a frustrating junior year, Smith-Njigba intends to show that he is the best receiver in this year's draft. STROUD 50-YARD TD TO JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA . Stroud is incredible. Smith-Njigbas snap at the top of his stem is excellent, which allows him to create easy separation. 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). Smith-Njigba turned down offers from multiple in-state schools and decided to take his talents to Columbus. 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.". Garrett Wilson still maintains that Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a better receiver than him or Chris Olave. 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. NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? A native of Rockwall, TX, Smith-Njigba has impressive route-running, agility, and a knack for making plays with the ball in his hands. You can check them all out in our 2023 dynasty draft kit. 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. Elsewhere, Smith-Njigba is prone to occasional focus drops, often when he has to extend beyond his frame for passes. In 44 high school games, Smith-Njigba racked up 5,346 receiving yards and 82 touchdowns. People will knock him for his long speed BUT thats not how he wins. 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. For comparison, he entered with just five catches for 68 yards on the season. He set a Big Ten single-season record with 1,606 . Also, in saying that, it has to be mentioned that he is plenty quick to win in the NFL. Standing at 60, 198 pounds, Smith-Njigba fits the Ohio State mold thats been reinforced in previous cycles. Smith-Njigba entered Ohio State in 2020 with a ton of pedigree. Smith-Njigba proceeded to shatter the school's record for most receiving yards in a game, previously held by Terry Glenn with 253 yards. Smith-Njigba feels 100% after injury-marred '22, Kiper's updated NFL mock draft: Who's moving up for a QB? Plays Football. Outrageous Predictions", "Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's record-setting day sparks No. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN He also sometimes lacks the strength to maintain key blocks on the outside. He understands leverage and can effectively direct DBs away from runners. 1 Pick, The Case for Bryce Young To Be the No. Can the Lions fix their defense? In his final five games, he had 60 catches for 858 yards and six scores. UTAH HITS THE END ZONE FIRST IN THE . He finished the 2021 season with 95 receptions for 1,595. 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. I don't think he'll be limited to just a slot receiver in the NFL. It's impossible to predict where he could go in the upcoming draft, though. 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. 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. Rising didn't have a performance quite like Stroud's, but he's still worth talking about. Coming to the team, it was assumed he would have to wait his time sitting behind a loaded receiving core for the Buckeyes. He flashes the ability to stack corners on verticals from the slot easily. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. All Rights Reserved. Willing to go up and attack the ball. David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. If the Bears have a chance to snag him, JSN feels like one of the few no-brainers of the draft. What makes Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba . As a blocker, Smith-Njigba is an energetic and high-effort player. TOP 2023 WRs. Has good body strength to squirm out of tackles with the coordination to maneuver his frame between defenders. The Ohio State WR is a natural hands catcher, with incredibly smooth body control in the open field when adjusting for throws. MORE:Tracking the fastest 40 times from the 2023 NFL Combine, "My playmaking ability is second to none," Smith-Njigba said. Smith -Njigba played minimally with Bears . ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Smith-Njigba as the No. Additionally, he can violently plant and rotate around at stems with impressive quickness. Resting on the podium overlooking a gaggle of reporters, Jaxon Smith-Njigba looked a composed figure. MORE:Updated NFL Draft big board of top 125 players overall, position rankings. In his junior season, Smith-Njigba led the Dallas region with 97 catches for 1,828 yards and 20 touchdowns. The Ohio State wideout had seen only a few downs of action in 2022. In 2021, he earned third-team All-America after snagging 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore. Ohio State star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to miss College Football Playoff matchup versus Georgia See all videos Verified Results Forty 4.59 Seconds The Opening Finals 07/01/19 Shuttle 3.91. Saturday's game was Ohio State's 16th appearance in the Rose Bowl, entering with an 8-7 record in Pasadena. He also has the most receiving yards in Rose Bowl game history. *, Copyright 2010- FantasyPros.com It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. We'll see if this matters at all when it comes to his draft stock. Stroud tossed an interception on the opening drive of the second half. He has very fluid hips. He was a 5-star recruit and the fifth WR in his class. He made his MLB debut in 2022. But I just haven't had enough reps on the 40 yet, so pro day you'll see me run.". "I'm ready to go out and attack and show my skill set," Smith-Njigba said Friday. 11 Utah Utes 48-45 in Saturday's Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, to finish the 2021 season with an 11-2 record. - His route running is superior to most wideouts in this draft class. He finished with six catches for 71 yards and three touchdowns. Music Outro: Eminem - Lose YourselfSecond Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8n8qjtOWK1j3tFiZAeeZ4QInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/justin_stewar. 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. ", 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.