Sat., Jan. 1, 2022; Pasadena, California, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) races to the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter of the 108th Rose Bowl Game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Utah Utes at the Rose Bowl. There's no other way to put it. In addition to Stroud, Smith-Njigba, who had a record-setting night, and Marvin Harrison Jr. also had incredible evenings. - 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. Garrett Wilson in 2021 on Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Or write about sports? Every dynasty GM knows there is no offseason. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is one of the smoothest route runners you'll . Those results won't be made public. The Green Bay Packers, like the rest of the NFL, are at the combine trying to figure out who they want to draft in April. Smith-Njigbas movement style helps compound his separation ability, but hes already very proficient at using his traits effectively. Smith-Njigba caught 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. He hit .258 with .760 OPS last season, missing almost six weeks with a right thigh injury. 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). He also has the most receiving yards in Rose Bowl game history. 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. Another component that helps Smith-Njigba, however, is his agility and ease of motion. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. 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-Njigba, who is listed at 6-foot, 240 pounds, is considered the Pirates' 27th-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline. A former five-star recruit, Smith-Njigba has dominated everywhere hes been. Coming to the team, it was assumed he would have to wait his time sitting behind a loaded receiving core for the Buckeyes. Smith-Njigba can manipulate and change his route path in tight spaces while keeping his speed. He. 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. Stats. We present them here for purely educational purposes. . Heres a look at what Smith-Njigba has to offer and where he stands in a crowded 2023 NFL Draft wide receiver class. Has good body strength to squirm out of tackles with the coordination to maneuver his frame between defenders. David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. 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. He understands leverage and can effectively direct DBs away from runners. 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. pic.twitter.com/jtvAYPnKH5. He was a five-star recruit from Rockwall (Texas) High School. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. . He flashes the ability to stack corners on verticals from the slot easily. Debating NFL draft questions, risers: Concern for Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Kayshon Boutte? 1 Pick, The Case for C.J. He can also pinch tight angles around defensive backs while accelerating, showing off valuable ankle flexion. Smith-Njigbas snap at the top of his stem is excellent, which allows him to create easy separation. - Speaking of which, he's a YAC machine. There is no doubt C.J. Rushing. NBC4 WCMH-TV Video 81-year-old gearing up for the Arnold 5k Pump . "Why Rockwall WR, Ohio State pledge Jaxon Smith-Njigba's impressive showing at The Opening almost didn't", "Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Riley Dodge win 2019 Tom Landry Awards", "Rockwall wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba named Gatorade Texas football player of the year", "Jaxon Smith-Njigba Named to SI All-American Team", "Ohio State commit Jaxon Smith-Njigba honored as a 2020 All-American", "Jaxon Smith-Njigba poised to become Ohio State's next star at receiver", "Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State Buckeyes, Wide Receiver", "Four-Star Wide Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba Commits To Ohio State", "Former Rockwall star Jaxon Smith-Njigba ready to take on larger role in Ohio State's offense", "Is Jaxon Smith-Njigba headed for breakout game in Ohio State football's season opener against Minnesota? After catching 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore in 2021, Smith-Njigba . 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. Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays against Michigan State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. 2 Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Ohio State. [3][4] Smith-Njigba played in the 2019 All-American Bowl and was named a high school All-American by Sports Illustrated and USA Today. "I just think . But after a frustrating junior year, Smith-Njigba intends to show that he is the best receiver in this year's draft. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. Smith-Njigba is a bit of an enigma athletically. 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. Furthermore, he shows off exceptional reaction quickness and makes high-difficulty adjustments with very little response time. Fellow Buckeye Jaxon Smith-Njigba most likely won't be a top five pick but he believes he's that type of talent. However, theres talk that Smith-Njigba may be one of the best to come out yet. He can contort in stride and corral tough passes with ease. Receiving. Stroud completed 37 of 46 passes for 572 yards and six touchdowns against one interception. If youre like me and youve had a raging fever since Februarythe only prescription is my rookie primers. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. (Photo: Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire, Getty), wide receiver many Chicago Bears fans have on their radar heading into the 2023 draft is former Ohio State Buckeyes standout, -Njigba played minimally with Bears quarterback. Rockwall High School Rockwall TX. Stroud and Smith-Njigba are cooking . What makes Smith-Njigbas game particularly appealing is that his mode of success is very translatable to the next level. Jaxon Smith-Njigba says he's 100% but skipping 40-yard dash Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba won't run the 40 at the scouting combine but says he is fully healed from the hamstring. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Smith-Njigba was the leading receiver on a team that featured last year's NFL rookie . Are you looking to contact Customer Support about a subscription or account related question? 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. 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. Like other Ohio State WRs before him, Smith-Njigba isnt an overwhelming size threat. Smith-Njigba isnt necessarily a generational WR prospect, and other wideouts in the 2023 NFL Draft may have better athletic profiles. Can he make the most of it and command first-round capital like they did? NFL teams really only have his 2021 stats (95 . He has very fluid hips. 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. He was replaced by freshman quarterback Bryson Barnes. Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been widely recognized as one of the top wide receiver prospects in the upcoming draft class after his breakout season in 2021 that saw him outpace two future . 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 . 6 Ohio State won a 48 . Despite having most of his 2022 season wiped out by the injury, the six-foot, 197-pound Smith-Njigba is still a good bet to hear his name called in the first round of the draft, given his past production and the outstanding hands and agility he's displayed when healthy. I think he'll grow into a versatile all-around threat. Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba is seen as one of the top wide receiver prospects ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. The NFL offseason is here (silently chuckles on the inside). With lacking elite explosiveness and burst, Smith-Njigba isnt going to offer a consistent dynamic element downfield. Do you have a blog? 3, behind Quentin Johnston (TCU) and Jordan Addison (USC). / 2023 2024 BYE WEEK. 1 Quentin Johnston - TCU. 11 Utah and No. 3 Jordan Addison - USC. apped his 2021 campaign with a ridiculous performance in the Rose Bowl against Utah, catching 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns through the air, setting a new record for receiving yards in the legendary bowl game. 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. Neither Wilson nor Olave was an overwhelming size threat. Smith-Njigba flashes the capacity for great explosion, especially when hes on the attack either surging into space or pursuing blockers. [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. The Ohio State WR is a natural hands catcher, with incredibly smooth body control in the open field when adjusting for throws. Addison is 6-0 175, Hyatt is 6-0 180. And already, he looks like a man amongst boys. He averaged 8.3 yards after the catch in 2021 and will likely continue that trend in the NFL. 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. The duo didnt work together beyond one season, but it still matters. 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. It was also the Buckeyes' first game against the Utes since 1986. Entering 2022, Smith-Njigba had been projected as one of the top wide receivers in the country. Even without elite explosiveness, hes still a very abrupt player whose natural suddenness provides ample value. 2 Appearances Receiving Yards 2021 1606 (#1) Big Ten 3 Appearances Receiving Yards Per Reception 2021 16.9 (#5) Big Ten Receiving Touchdowns 2021 9 (#5) Big Ten Yards From Scrimmage 2021 1606 (#2) Big Ten More Jaxon Smith-Njigba Pages Jaxon Smith-Njigba Overview Game Logs 2022 2021 2020 Career Splits 2022 2021 2020 Career He made his MLB debut in 2022. Smith-Njigba feels 100% after injury-marred '22, Kiper's updated NFL mock draft: Who's moving up for a QB? *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine "I'm ready to go out and attack and show my skill set," Smith-Njigba said Friday. 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. Menu Shop Menu Standings Menu Stats Menu Super Bowl Menu Teams Menu Tickets Menu More . Finally, Smith-Njigba has shown he can sneak through arm tackles in open space with his slippery running ability and active feet. As a prospect, he rated as the 29th overall prospect. The Ohio State WR also has great stop-and-start ability and can break at impressive angles with his loose hips. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. He had six drops in his 2021 campaign. The Buckeyes are winning 45-38 thanks to the 85-yard drive capped by Smith-Njigba. He holds the FBS Bowl Game and Ohio State single game record for most receiving yards with 347 in the 2022 Rose Bowl. 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. I think the best way to describe Jaxon Smith-Njigba is that hes a quarterbacks Phone-a-Friend pic.twitter.com/ZykxbLB2bG. That's a ringing endorsement from a future contemporary. 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. - 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. Stroud. Smith-Njigba could be an immediate target hog in the NFL.