. One of his most impressive plays of the evening was breaking a tackle and rushing for a 62-yard score. Fellow Buckeye Jaxon Smith-Njigba most likely won't be a top five pick but he believes he's that type of talent. NBA Stats. As a blocker, Smith-Njigba is an energetic and high-effort player. He has 15 receptions for 92 receiving yards and a score. He was named a starter at the slot receiver position for the Buckeyes going into his sophomore season. Any team investing high draft capital in him knows what they are getting: a high-volume wide receiver that can work both inside and on the perimeter. Ohio State has a type at wide receiver. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is breaking records as he scored the go-ahead touchdown on a right corner fade. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. [5][6] Smith-Njigba finished his high school career with 5,346 career receiving yards and 82 touchdowns in 44 games played. 11 Utah. He holds the FBS Bowl Game and Ohio State single game record for most receiving yards with 347 in the 2022 Rose Bowl. Smith-Njigba is now the Ohio State record holder for the most receiving yards in a game. 1 Pick. Find out more. Or write about sports? 22 overall pick. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Jaxon Smith-Njigba. . A hamstring injury limited him to three games in 2022, though. But after a frustrating junior year, Smith-Njigba intends to show that he is the best receiver in this year's draft. He will be an immediate asset to the run game. For his size, Smith-Njigba is surprisingly physical. I wouldn't take a big jump, but I'd move up a couple picks to nab him if he's still there late in Round 1. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. The last time Ohio State took the field, Ryan Day's squad was embarrassed in a 42-27 loss to Michigan. 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. Smith-Njigba turned down offers from multiple in-state schools and decided to take his talents to Columbus. Like other Ohio State WRs before him, Smith-Njigba isnt an overwhelming size threat. Addison is 6-0 175, Hyatt is 6-0 180. Before suffering an ACL tear last season, Smith-Njigba proved himself one of the most dynamic players in the country in his time in Columbus. 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. 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. Below Ill take a closer look at Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State) . 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. Going further, Smith-Njigba has enough explosiveness to get out into space and escape congestion after taking short passes. Does a nice job locating and tracking deep passes and is a legitimate vertical threat. Hes tough in the middle of the defense and has proven he can make catches in congestion. 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. If production was the only factor, then hed have that title locked down. Emeka Egbuka, another freshman receiver, also had a nice outing with three catches for 46 yards. While Smith-Njigba is an exceptional player, there are some limitations and areas for improvement to make note of. A text message to Smith-Njigba has not been returned yet. 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 primarily operated out of the slot in 2021 and frequently had free releases. Jaxon Smith-Njigba believes Ohio State would have won the national championship had he been healthy all of last season. - 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. As it turns out, all the Buckeyes needed was Jaxon Smith-Njigba. 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. Still, a first-round selection is a pretty good consolation prize. Runs elite crisp routes with sharp cuts. (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. 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. Smith-Njigba wont burn you in the open field with his raw speed, but that isnt necessary for him to succeed. 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. The NFL offseason is here (silently chuckles on the inside). The Ohio State WR has near-elite stopping ability. It was the most receiving yards by anyone in bowl history. Jaxon Smith-Njigba Rose Bowl stats: 15 receptions, 346 receiving yards, three touchdowns; College football world reacts to Jaxon Smith-Njigba's historic Rose Bowl game. Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. 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. 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. The duo didnt work together beyond one season, but it still matters. Jaxon Smith-Njigba Height, Weight and Hand Size 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. Stats at ESPN.com. 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. Can he make the most of it and command first-round capital like they did? That's a ringing endorsement from a future contemporary. - Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. With lacking elite explosiveness and burst, Smith-Njigba isnt going to offer a consistent dynamic element downfield. C.J. "From playing basketball [as a kid], I feel like my creativity is what sets me apart also. 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. And already, he looks like a man amongst boys. Still, he had earned more . 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. 6'1" 190 lbs Senior. Willing to go up and attack the ball. Smith-Njigba has done it twice this season. Moreover, hes a manipulative route runner who can adjust his tempo through reps. NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? Buckeyes' Smith-Njigba, Williams back vs. Iowa, Ohio State rules out Smith-Njigba, Williams. Has the strong hands any NFL wide receiver coach and quarterback would covet. Is Ohio State WR and 2023 NFL Draft prospect Jaxon Smith-Njigba the best of the bunch from the historic 2021 OSU trio? 6 Ohio State won a 48 . - His recent injury history is certainly a concern. 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. 1 Pick, The Case for Bryce Young To Be the No. You don't currently have any notifications. Furthermore, he shows off exceptional reaction quickness and makes high-difficulty adjustments with very little response time. He has a very reasonable path to success at the next level, but his lack of elite burst and speed are notable concerns. (19%*), 75 3/8 MORE:Follow live updates, highlights from NFL Combine workouts. I just don't really care about his 40 time. 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. Stats: 2021 (251 FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets) Yards per route run: 1st; PFF receiving grade: 1st; Career Breakout age: 75th percentile (19.6) 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 was the leading receiver on a team that featured last year's NFL rookie . Rising didn't have a performance quite like Stroud's, but he's still worth talking about. You can check them all out in our 2023 dynasty draft kit. Smith-Njigba is already a proficient separator, but he doesnt rely on separation to win. Smith-Njigba grew up in Rockwall, Texas, and attended Rockwall High School. 11 Utah Utes 48-45 in Saturday's Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, to finish the 2021 season with an 11-2 record. 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 . Jaxon Smith-Njigba's NFL Combine profile. 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.". It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. In his final two seasons . Saturday's game was Ohio State's 16th appearance in the Rose Bowl, entering with an 8-7 record in Pasadena. He. Could the Cowboys look at a running back in first round again? NBC4 WCMH-TV Video 81-year-old gearing up for the Arnold 5k Pump . But at 6-1 and 200 pounds, running in the upper 4.4s, he is hardly just a slot guy. However, he began to heat up again as the half went on. Career; Var 19-20; Var 18-19; Var 17-18; Var 16-17; Career Stats. 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.". He hit .258 with .760 OPS last season, missing almost six weeks with a right thigh injury. 4 Zay Flowers - Boston College. . All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Has good body strength to squirm out of tackles with the coordination to maneuver his frame between defenders. After that performance, he was touted as one of the top prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. 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. 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. Its important not to speak in absolutes, but another strong season would almost assuredly grant Smith-Njigba first-round capital. 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 . As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine We'll see if this matters at all when it comes to his draft stock. 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). STATISTICS. Smith-Njigba caught 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. He can manipulate defensive backs and tempo routes to maximize space. 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. While hes not an elite explosive threat, Smith-Njigbas cylindrical twitch is high-level, and he uses that trait to get DBs off-balance. What makes Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba . ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Smith-Njigba as the No. He was a five-star recruit from Rockwall (Texas) High School. - He has had an issue hanging onto the ball at times. The Ohio State wideout had seen only a few downs of action in 2022. People will knock him for his long speed BUT thats not how he wins. There is no doubt C.J. 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. Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba to miss Peach Bowl, enter 2023 NFL Draft Smith-Njigba had five receptions for 43 yards this season. MORE:Updated NFL Draft big board of top 125 players overall, position rankings. A former five-star recruit, Smith-Njigba has dominated everywhere hes been. 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. As a prospect, he rated as the 29th overall prospect. He earned rave reviews from a number of media outlets. Stroud is incredible. 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. However, he needs more press experience on the boundary to prove it. Amateur career [ edit] Smith-Njigba attended Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Texas, where he played baseball. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. 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. - Hes difficult to bring down. Still, he had earned more than a few admirers, interviewer after interviewer peppering him with questions. 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. His size and strong lower body make him a tricky task for corners once the ball is in his hands. Jaxon is as good as Ive ever seen, probably the best Ive ever seen. I think he'll grow into a versatile all-around threat. 11 Utah. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. The next great one Omg @jaxon_smith1 stop it # . I think the best way to describe Jaxon Smith-Njigba is that hes a quarterbacks Phone-a-Friend pic.twitter.com/ZykxbLB2bG. 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 entered Ohio State in 2020 with a ton of pedigree. "I see myself as a top-five player, not just a receiver. Hes more quick than fast. MORE:Tracking the fastest 40 times from the 2023 NFL Combine, "My playmaking ability is second to none," Smith-Njigba said. GET BEARS NEWS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DAILY WITH OUR NEWSLETTER. Outrageous Predictions", "Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's record-setting day sparks No. He uses violent targeted swats to combat jams and swipes down arms at the catch point. Index Of This Post [ show] Smith-Njigba (hamstring) said he's 100 percent healthy, according to ESPN's Turron Davenport. TOP 2023 WRs. In 2021, he was third among FBS wide receivers (minimum 50 targets) in receiving yards (1,595) and second in YAC (790). But as a 2023 NFL Draft prospect, is Smith-Njigbas scouting report stronger than his predecessors? Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays wide receiver for Ohio State in college football. It was his most productive performance since a Nov. 13 win over Arizona when he threw for 294 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 22 yards a score. 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 browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. The NFL offseason is here (silently chuckles on the inside). He made his MLB debut in 2022. 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. Some school's results have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties. Even without elite explosiveness, hes still a very abrupt player whose natural suddenness provides ample value. 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. He set a Big Ten single-season record with 1,606 . Smith-Njigba is a bit of an enigma athletically. Hes an extremely sudden, amped-up mover who stores immense amounts of potential energy within his frame. 2022; 2021; 2020; Career; Splits. 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. The Player the Ravens Should Be Watching at the . And now, with Wilson and Olave gone, the spotlight is on him alone. Smith-Njigba isnt necessarily a generational WR prospect, and other wideouts in the 2023 NFL Draft may have better athletic profiles. He also holds Ohio State records . JSN's Rose Bowl performance against Utah, albeit with the Utes drastically undermanned in the secondary and Olave and Wilson sitting out, was a . pic.twitter.com/jtvAYPnKH5. 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. Stroud To Be the No. He wins with excellent, quick footwork at the line and in space. - He tracks the ball well on long throws and is capable of being a deep threat.

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