Finally, Smith-Njigba has shown he can sneak through arm tackles in open space with his slippery running ability and active feet. He has 15 receptions for 92 receiving yards and a score. 1 site covering the team! 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. I think the best way to describe Jaxon Smith-Njigba is that hes a quarterbacks Phone-a-Friend pic.twitter.com/ZykxbLB2bG. Still, he had earned more . STROUD 50-YARD TD TO JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA . 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. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 6:39AM. Smith-Njigba's performance helped C.J. He had six drops in his 2021 campaign. 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, The Case for Will Levis To Be the No. The No. He can create in minimal space with the best of them. . 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. You can check them all out in our 2023 dynasty draft kit. Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays against Michigan State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. [2] As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 touchdowns and was named the recipient of both the Landry Award and the Texas Gatorade Football Player of the Year award. 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. 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. He uses violent targeted swats to combat jams and swipes down arms at the catch point. In his junior season, Smith-Njigba led the Dallas region with 97 catches for 1,828 yards and 20 touchdowns. 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. He can create in minimal space with the best of them. He has good acceleration off the line and can use fast feet to gain speed as he heads upfield. I'm taking things slowly to close the book on this nagging injury, which I feel like I have. The Buckeyes are winning 45-38 thanks to the 85-yard drive capped by Smith-Njigba. But after a frustrating junior year, Smith-Njigba intends to show that he is the best receiver in this year's draft. Smith-Njigba is now the Ohio State record holder for the most receiving yards in a game. pic.twitter.com/jtvAYPnKH5. Current draft projection for Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. That may give some teams understandable pause. As a matter of policy, Sports Reference only reports the results of games as played on the field. All Rights Reserved. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). 6 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. 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. There is no doubt C.J. 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. , Most TD passes in single season by B1G QB, all-time:
50 - Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State (2018)
41 - C.J. He can contort in stride and corral tough passes with ease. With those hips, he can expertly manipulate short ranges, as well as use abrupt lateral movements to disrupt tackling angles. I doubt it matters what anyone thinks of Smith-Njigba because he likely won't be available at 25. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN What makes Smith-Njigbas game particularly appealing is that his mode of success is very translatable to the next level. Are you looking to contact Customer Support about a subscription or account related question? Stroud. Stroud dropped a dime to Marvin Harrison Jr. , C.J. 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.". "I'm ready to go out and attack and show my skill set," Smith-Njigba said Friday. 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. While its not a huge part of his game (only 16.1% of his 2021 target volume), he can win on vertical routes. Smith-Njigba was the leading receiver on a team that featured last year's NFL rookie . 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. He hit .258 with .760 OPS last season, missing almost six weeks with a right thigh injury. He will be an immediate asset to the run game. 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. ANY GAME! But as a 2023 NFL Draft prospect, is Smith-Njigbas scouting report stronger than his predecessors? Saturday's game was Ohio State's 16th appearance in the Rose Bowl, entering with an 8-7 record in Pasadena. With lacking elite explosiveness and burst, Smith-Njigba isnt going to offer a consistent dynamic element downfield. He has had an issue hanging onto the ball at times. Stats at ESPN.com. Moreover, hes a manipulative route runner who can adjust his tempo through reps. (31%*), 30 2/8 Amateur career [ edit] Smith-Njigba attended Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Texas, where he played baseball. But at the very least, he passes the desired threshold for an NFL starter. *, Copyright 2010- FantasyPros.com MORE:Follow live updates, highlights from NFL Combine workouts. Jaxon Smith-Njigba's NFL Combine profile. Another component that helps Smith-Njigba, however, is his agility and ease of motion. Time will tell where he gets drafted, but he's currently one of the more intriguing prospects at wide receiver in the upcoming draft. e's a Grade A slot receiver. The NFL offseason is here (silently chuckles on the inside). 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. 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. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. 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. Below Ill take a closer look at Jaxon Smith-Njigba. As it turns out, all the Buckeyes needed was Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 scores. This is me Follow. He wont always win on explosiveness alone, and he doesnt cover a ton of ground off initial explosions out of 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. If the Bears have a chance to snag him, JSN feels like one of the few no-brainers of the draft. 5 Jalin Hyatt - Tennessee. 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 receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba said he met with the New England Patriots at the combine and also praised the franchise and Mac Jones. The 2021 season showed what he could do, however, as he totaled 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. 11 Utah Utes 48-45 in Saturday's Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, to finish the 2021 season with an 11-2 record. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. It was also the Buckeyes' first game against the Utes since 1986. Debating NFL draft questions, risers: Concern for Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Kayshon Boutte? 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. The silver lining is that the Ohio State WR flashes great explosive capacity. 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 has a very reasonable path to success at the next level, but his lack of elite burst and speed are notable concerns. Is Ohio State WR and 2023 NFL Draft prospect Jaxon Smith-Njigba the best of the bunch from the historic 2021 OSU trio? While hes not an elite explosive threat, Smith-Njigbas cylindrical twitch is high-level, and he uses that trait to get DBs off-balance. 2 wideout in the class, behind Zay Flowers (Boston College), while Todd McShay has him at No. Interestingly enough, while Smith-Njigba is a phenomenal prospect, his production may inflate his stock a bit past his actual value. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. However, he needs more press experience on the boundary to prove it. Going further, Smith-Njigba has enough explosiveness to get out into space and escape congestion after taking short passes. Some projections have him falling into the second round, but he could still be a Round 1 selection. 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. Those results won't be made public. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Smith-Njigba is a bit of an enigma athletically. It's impossible to predict where he could go in the upcoming draft, though. MORE:Updated NFL Draft big board of top 125 players overall, position rankings. In 2021, Smith-Njigba was the third receiver behind Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, but Smith-Njigba still managed to dominate the competition. What makes Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba . Neither Wilson nor Olave was an overwhelming size threat. 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. Smith-Njigba has 326 yards receiving, which is the most in any bowl game in college football history. Stroud tossed an interception on the opening drive of the second half. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. 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. "I just think my playmaking ability is second to none in this draft," he said. Still, a first-round selection is a pretty good consolation prize. Smith-Njigbas movement style helps compound his separation ability, but hes already very proficient at using his traits effectively. Elsewhere, Smith-Njigba is prone to occasional focus drops, often when he has to extend beyond his frame for passes. On the topic of Ohio State, Smith-Njigba expressed regret that he wasn't able to play more. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. 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 2021, he was third among FBS wide receivers (minimum 50 targets) in receiving yards (1,595) and second in YAC (790). Theres the regular season, and then there is rookie fever season. Hes a guy that will do the laundry for you pic.twitter.com/oFeHCi8qPj. Heres a look at what Smith-Njigba has to offer and where he stands in a crowded 2023 NFL Draft wide receiver class. 3 Jordan Addison - USC. His size and strong lower body make him a tricky task for corners once the ball is in his hands. Smith-Njigba turned down offers from multiple in-state schools and decided to take his talents to Columbus. Join our linker program. The last time Ohio State took the field, Ryan Day's squad was embarrassed in a 42-27 loss to Michigan. 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 . People will knock him for his long speed BUT thats not how he wins. He also lacks breakaway long speed and can be run down in open field by plus athletes. As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 scores. Smith-Njigba proceeded to shatter the school's record for most receiving yards in a game, previously held by Terry Glenn with 253 yards. NBC4 WCMH-TV Video 81-year-old gearing up for the Arnold 5k Pump . . 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. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. In his final two seasons . Canaan Elijah Smith-Njigba (born April 30, 1999) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). Theres the regular season, and then there is rookie fever season. 10 overall to the Jets) and Chris Olave (No. There's no other way to put it. 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. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. - His recent injury history is certainly a concern. 2023 NFL Draft Highlights: Jaxon. / 2023 2024 BYE WEEK. 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. Hes a tenacious blocker who engages well with defenders and anchors them. If anything, Saturday's game showed us the Buckeyes are in good hands moving forward. 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. Let's take a closer look at JSN's draft profile, and whether the Bears should be interested in his services. 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. 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. He. However, he began to heat up again as the half went on. Can beat the press with elusiveness or physical contact. As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. MORE:Tracking the fastest 40 times from the 2023 NFL Combine, "My playmaking ability is second to none," Smith-Njigba said. - 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. Going further, Smith-Njigba appears to lack quantifiably elite explosive burst. 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. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine Entering 2022, Smith-Njigba had been projected as one of the top wide receivers in the country. The Ohio State WR trio of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will go down in the college football history books. - 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. Copyright 2019-2023. One of his most impressive plays of the evening was breaking a tackle and rushing for a 62-yard score. Also, in saying that, it has to be mentioned that he is plenty quick to win in the NFL. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. We'll see if this matters at all when it comes to his draft stock. Jersey Pos #11 WR . 2022; 2021; 2020; Career; Splits. After that performance, he was touted as one of the top prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. Stroud throw for 573. 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. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Who are the top WR's in 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. He believes that if he had, confetti could have rained down on the scarlet and gray. - He has had an issue hanging onto the ball at times. 9 22 overall pick. The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer, in his latest mock draft,has Smith-Njigba going to the Chargers with the No. 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. 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. Draft analyst Todd McShay reported in December that Smith-Njigba was healthy enough to play in the College Football Playoffs, but chose not to. [5][6] Smith-Njigba finished his high school career with 5,346 career receiving yards and 82 touchdowns in 44 games played. He finished with six catches for 71 yards and three touchdowns. 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. Smith -Njigba played minimally with Bears . 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. - He already has a rapport with Fields. And already, he looks like a man amongst boys. Standing at 60, 198 pounds, Smith-Njigba fits the Ohio State mold thats been reinforced in previous cycles. Rockwall High School Rockwall TX. 2 Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Ohio State. Scouts aren't the only football people high on Smith-Njigba. Also called him, "the most natural athlete Ive ever seen. He has very fluid hips. [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. 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. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including complete game-by-game stats on ESPN Smith-Njigba is already a proficient separator, but he doesnt rely on separation to win. However, theres talk that Smith-Njigba may be one of the best to come out yet. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. Does a nice job locating and tracking deep passes and is a legitimate vertical threat. 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. Stroud and Smith-Njigba are cooking . The sophomore was a supernova against the Utah secondary, hauling in 15 catches for 347 yards and three touchdowns. 6'1" 190 lbs Senior. In 2021, he earned third-team All-America after snagging 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore. Smith-Njigba struggles with injury after first catch, These five players highlight 2023 NFL mock draft. If the picks line up, adding Smith-Njigba would be an easy decision for Chicago. JSN's Rose Bowl performance against Utah, albeit with the Utes drastically undermanned in the secondary and Olave and Wilson sitting out, was a . Hes an extremely sudden, amped-up mover who stores immense amounts of potential energy within his frame. Could the Cowboys look at a running back in first round again? by Matthew Jones. 11 Utah. Jaxon is as good as Ive ever seen, probably the best Ive ever seen. Hes a fairly easy accelerator who generates solid initial momentum and can freely throttle up and down. I think he'll grow into a versatile all-around threat. "From playing basketball [as a kid], I feel like my creativity is what sets me apart also. Smith-Njigba has visible lateral twitch, and he brings good energy with his movement. A hamstring injury limited him to three games in 2022, though. Smith-Njigba's central role in the offense was expected to be a major part of OSU's identity as a national championship contender. The Buckeyes star is surprisingly comfortable going low for passes, and he maintains his focus even as his balance is compromised. . Even without elite explosiveness, hes still a very abrupt player whose natural suddenness provides ample value. - His route running is superior to most wideouts in this draft class. It's officially NFL draft season, so it's time to get to know the best players at every positions in the 2023 class. 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. 11 Utah and No. A text message to Smith-Njigba has not been returned yet. Those things translate. Hes able to secure catches with defenders in his wheelhouse, and hes comfortable with very little space. 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. He was replaced by freshman quarterback Bryson Barnes. 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). All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. 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. - He tracks the ball well on long throws and is capable of being a deep threat. Smith-Njigba flashes the capacity for great explosion, especially when hes on the attack either surging into space or pursuing blockers. 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. After catching 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore in 2021, Smith-Njigba . I just try to use all those qualities and get the job done. . 6 Ohio State still trails, 38-31 with the 4th quarter underway. More Jaxon Smith-Njigba Pages. . 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. Time will tell where he gets drafted, but he's currently one of the more intriguing prospects at wide receiver in the upcoming draft. For comparison, he entered with just five catches for 68 yards on the season. 1 Pick, The Case for C.J. Check out Jaxon Smith-Njigba's College Gamelog and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com . Emeka Egbuka, another freshman receiver, also had a nice outing with three catches for 46 yards. 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. Let's find out. 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 a route tactician with the route-running chops of an NFL veteran. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. He flashes the ability to stack corners on verticals from the slot easily. Smith-Njigba, who is listed at 6-foot, 240 pounds, is considered the Pirates' 27th-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline. 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 Patriots have a new offensive coordinator in Bill O'Brien and could . Jaxon Smith-Njigba Height, Weight and Hand Size Hes tough in the middle of the defense and has proven he can make catches in congestion. "I was 100 percent as of two weeks ago. Additionally, he can violently plant and rotate around at stems with impressive quickness. The next great one Omg @jaxon_smith1 stop it # . - 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. The Ohio State wideout had seen only a few downs of action in 2022. Jaxon Smith-Njigba's Football Stats. 1 Pick. 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 . Coming to the team, it was assumed he would have to wait his time sitting behind a loaded receiving core for the Buckeyes. 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.
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50 - Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State (2018)
41 - C.J. He can contort in stride and corral tough passes with ease. With those hips, he can expertly manipulate short ranges, as well as use abrupt lateral movements to disrupt tackling angles. I doubt it matters what anyone thinks of Smith-Njigba because he likely won't be available at 25. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN What makes Smith-Njigbas game particularly appealing is that his mode of success is very translatable to the next level. Are you looking to contact Customer Support about a subscription or account related question? Stroud. Stroud dropped a dime to Marvin Harrison Jr. , C.J. 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.". "I'm ready to go out and attack and show my skill set," Smith-Njigba said Friday. 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. While its not a huge part of his game (only 16.1% of his 2021 target volume), he can win on vertical routes. Smith-Njigba was the leading receiver on a team that featured last year's NFL rookie . 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. He hit .258 with .760 OPS last season, missing almost six weeks with a right thigh injury. He will be an immediate asset to the run game. 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. ANY GAME! But as a 2023 NFL Draft prospect, is Smith-Njigbas scouting report stronger than his predecessors? Saturday's game was Ohio State's 16th appearance in the Rose Bowl, entering with an 8-7 record in Pasadena. With lacking elite explosiveness and burst, Smith-Njigba isnt going to offer a consistent dynamic element downfield. He has had an issue hanging onto the ball at times. Stats at ESPN.com. Moreover, hes a manipulative route runner who can adjust his tempo through reps. (31%*), 30 2/8 Amateur career [ edit] Smith-Njigba attended Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Texas, where he played baseball. But at the very least, he passes the desired threshold for an NFL starter. *, Copyright 2010- FantasyPros.com MORE:Follow live updates, highlights from NFL Combine workouts. Jaxon Smith-Njigba's NFL Combine profile. Another component that helps Smith-Njigba, however, is his agility and ease of motion. Time will tell where he gets drafted, but he's currently one of the more intriguing prospects at wide receiver in the upcoming draft. e's a Grade A slot receiver. The NFL offseason is here (silently chuckles on the inside). 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. 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. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. 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. Below Ill take a closer look at Jaxon Smith-Njigba. As it turns out, all the Buckeyes needed was Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 scores. This is me Follow. He wont always win on explosiveness alone, and he doesnt cover a ton of ground off initial explosions out of 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. If the Bears have a chance to snag him, JSN feels like one of the few no-brainers of the draft. 5 Jalin Hyatt - Tennessee. 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 receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba said he met with the New England Patriots at the combine and also praised the franchise and Mac Jones. The 2021 season showed what he could do, however, as he totaled 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. 11 Utah Utes 48-45 in Saturday's Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, to finish the 2021 season with an 11-2 record. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. It was also the Buckeyes' first game against the Utes since 1986. Debating NFL draft questions, risers: Concern for Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Kayshon Boutte? 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. The silver lining is that the Ohio State WR flashes great explosive capacity. 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 has a very reasonable path to success at the next level, but his lack of elite burst and speed are notable concerns. Is Ohio State WR and 2023 NFL Draft prospect Jaxon Smith-Njigba the best of the bunch from the historic 2021 OSU trio? While hes not an elite explosive threat, Smith-Njigbas cylindrical twitch is high-level, and he uses that trait to get DBs off-balance. 2 wideout in the class, behind Zay Flowers (Boston College), while Todd McShay has him at No. Interestingly enough, while Smith-Njigba is a phenomenal prospect, his production may inflate his stock a bit past his actual value. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. However, he needs more press experience on the boundary to prove it. Going further, Smith-Njigba has enough explosiveness to get out into space and escape congestion after taking short passes. Some projections have him falling into the second round, but he could still be a Round 1 selection. 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. Those results won't be made public. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Smith-Njigba is a bit of an enigma athletically. It's impossible to predict where he could go in the upcoming draft, though. MORE:Updated NFL Draft big board of top 125 players overall, position rankings. In 2021, Smith-Njigba was the third receiver behind Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, but Smith-Njigba still managed to dominate the competition. What makes Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba . Neither Wilson nor Olave was an overwhelming size threat. 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. Smith-Njigba has 326 yards receiving, which is the most in any bowl game in college football history. Stroud tossed an interception on the opening drive of the second half. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. 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. "I just think my playmaking ability is second to none in this draft," he said. Still, a first-round selection is a pretty good consolation prize. Smith-Njigbas movement style helps compound his separation ability, but hes already very proficient at using his traits effectively. Elsewhere, Smith-Njigba is prone to occasional focus drops, often when he has to extend beyond his frame for passes. On the topic of Ohio State, Smith-Njigba expressed regret that he wasn't able to play more. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. 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 2021, he was third among FBS wide receivers (minimum 50 targets) in receiving yards (1,595) and second in YAC (790). Theres the regular season, and then there is rookie fever season. Hes a guy that will do the laundry for you pic.twitter.com/oFeHCi8qPj. Heres a look at what Smith-Njigba has to offer and where he stands in a crowded 2023 NFL Draft wide receiver class. 3 Jordan Addison - USC. His size and strong lower body make him a tricky task for corners once the ball is in his hands. Smith-Njigba turned down offers from multiple in-state schools and decided to take his talents to Columbus. Join our linker program. The last time Ohio State took the field, Ryan Day's squad was embarrassed in a 42-27 loss to Michigan. 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 . People will knock him for his long speed BUT thats not how he wins. He also lacks breakaway long speed and can be run down in open field by plus athletes. As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 scores. Smith-Njigba proceeded to shatter the school's record for most receiving yards in a game, previously held by Terry Glenn with 253 yards. NBC4 WCMH-TV Video 81-year-old gearing up for the Arnold 5k Pump . . 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. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. In his final two seasons . Canaan Elijah Smith-Njigba (born April 30, 1999) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). Theres the regular season, and then there is rookie fever season. 10 overall to the Jets) and Chris Olave (No. There's no other way to put it. 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. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. - His recent injury history is certainly a concern. 2023 NFL Draft Highlights: Jaxon. / 2023 2024 BYE WEEK. 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. Hes a tenacious blocker who engages well with defenders and anchors them. If anything, Saturday's game showed us the Buckeyes are in good hands moving forward. 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. Let's take a closer look at JSN's draft profile, and whether the Bears should be interested in his services. 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. 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. He. However, he began to heat up again as the half went on. Can beat the press with elusiveness or physical contact. As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. MORE:Tracking the fastest 40 times from the 2023 NFL Combine, "My playmaking ability is second to none," Smith-Njigba said. - 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. Going further, Smith-Njigba appears to lack quantifiably elite explosive burst. 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. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine Entering 2022, Smith-Njigba had been projected as one of the top wide receivers in the country. The Ohio State WR trio of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will go down in the college football history books. - 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. Copyright 2019-2023. One of his most impressive plays of the evening was breaking a tackle and rushing for a 62-yard score. Also, in saying that, it has to be mentioned that he is plenty quick to win in the NFL. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. We'll see if this matters at all when it comes to his draft stock. Jersey Pos #11 WR . 2022; 2021; 2020; Career; Splits. After that performance, he was touted as one of the top prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. Stroud throw for 573. 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. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Who are the top WR's in 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. He believes that if he had, confetti could have rained down on the scarlet and gray. - He has had an issue hanging onto the ball at times. 9 22 overall pick. The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer, in his latest mock draft,has Smith-Njigba going to the Chargers with the No. 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. 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. Draft analyst Todd McShay reported in December that Smith-Njigba was healthy enough to play in the College Football Playoffs, but chose not to. [5][6] Smith-Njigba finished his high school career with 5,346 career receiving yards and 82 touchdowns in 44 games played. He finished with six catches for 71 yards and three touchdowns. 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. Smith -Njigba played minimally with Bears . 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. - He already has a rapport with Fields. And already, he looks like a man amongst boys. Standing at 60, 198 pounds, Smith-Njigba fits the Ohio State mold thats been reinforced in previous cycles. Rockwall High School Rockwall TX. 2 Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Ohio State. Scouts aren't the only football people high on Smith-Njigba. Also called him, "the most natural athlete Ive ever seen. He has very fluid hips. [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. 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. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including complete game-by-game stats on ESPN Smith-Njigba is already a proficient separator, but he doesnt rely on separation to win. However, theres talk that Smith-Njigba may be one of the best to come out yet. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. Does a nice job locating and tracking deep passes and is a legitimate vertical threat. 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. Stroud and Smith-Njigba are cooking . The sophomore was a supernova against the Utah secondary, hauling in 15 catches for 347 yards and three touchdowns. 6'1" 190 lbs Senior. In 2021, he earned third-team All-America after snagging 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore. Smith-Njigba struggles with injury after first catch, These five players highlight 2023 NFL mock draft. If the picks line up, adding Smith-Njigba would be an easy decision for Chicago. JSN's Rose Bowl performance against Utah, albeit with the Utes drastically undermanned in the secondary and Olave and Wilson sitting out, was a . Hes an extremely sudden, amped-up mover who stores immense amounts of potential energy within his frame. Could the Cowboys look at a running back in first round again? by Matthew Jones. 11 Utah. Jaxon is as good as Ive ever seen, probably the best Ive ever seen. Hes a fairly easy accelerator who generates solid initial momentum and can freely throttle up and down. I think he'll grow into a versatile all-around threat. "From playing basketball [as a kid], I feel like my creativity is what sets me apart also. Smith-Njigba has visible lateral twitch, and he brings good energy with his movement. A hamstring injury limited him to three games in 2022, though. Smith-Njigba's central role in the offense was expected to be a major part of OSU's identity as a national championship contender. The Buckeyes star is surprisingly comfortable going low for passes, and he maintains his focus even as his balance is compromised. . Even without elite explosiveness, hes still a very abrupt player whose natural suddenness provides ample value. - His route running is superior to most wideouts in this draft class. It's officially NFL draft season, so it's time to get to know the best players at every positions in the 2023 class. 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. 11 Utah and No. A text message to Smith-Njigba has not been returned yet. Those things translate. Hes able to secure catches with defenders in his wheelhouse, and hes comfortable with very little space. 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. He was replaced by freshman quarterback Bryson Barnes. 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). All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. 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. - He tracks the ball well on long throws and is capable of being a deep threat. Smith-Njigba flashes the capacity for great explosion, especially when hes on the attack either surging into space or pursuing blockers. 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. After catching 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore in 2021, Smith-Njigba . I just try to use all those qualities and get the job done. . 6 Ohio State still trails, 38-31 with the 4th quarter underway. More Jaxon Smith-Njigba Pages. . 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. Time will tell where he gets drafted, but he's currently one of the more intriguing prospects at wide receiver in the upcoming draft. For comparison, he entered with just five catches for 68 yards on the season. 1 Pick, The Case for C.J. Check out Jaxon Smith-Njigba's College Gamelog and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com . Emeka Egbuka, another freshman receiver, also had a nice outing with three catches for 46 yards. 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. Let's find out. 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 a route tactician with the route-running chops of an NFL veteran. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. He flashes the ability to stack corners on verticals from the slot easily. Smith-Njigba, who is listed at 6-foot, 240 pounds, is considered the Pirates' 27th-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline. 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 Patriots have a new offensive coordinator in Bill O'Brien and could . Jaxon Smith-Njigba Height, Weight and Hand Size Hes tough in the middle of the defense and has proven he can make catches in congestion. "I was 100 percent as of two weeks ago. Additionally, he can violently plant and rotate around at stems with impressive quickness. The next great one Omg @jaxon_smith1 stop it # . - 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. The Ohio State wideout had seen only a few downs of action in 2022. Jaxon Smith-Njigba's Football Stats. 1 Pick. 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 . Coming to the team, it was assumed he would have to wait his time sitting behind a loaded receiving core for the Buckeyes. 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.
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