Smith-Njigba famously capped his season in style, putting up a Rose Bowl-record 347 receiving yards in the Buckeyes' demolition of USC. Draft analyst Todd McShay reported in December that Smith-Njigba was healthy enough to play in the College Football Playoffs, but chose not to. 1 Pick, The Case for Will Levis To Be the No. Smith-Njigba, who is listed at 6-foot, 240 pounds, is considered the Pirates' 27th-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Can beat the press with elusiveness or physical contact. 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. 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. Good effort and technique as a blocker for his size. Menu Shop Menu Standings Menu Stats Menu Super Bowl Menu Teams Menu Tickets Menu More . Hes difficult to bring down. 2022; 2021; 2020; Career; Splits. C.J. In addition to Stroud, Smith-Njigba, who had a record-setting night, and Marvin Harrison Jr. also had incredible evenings. 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. Has dominated at the college level but doesn't have any elite traits that translate to the pro game - athletically he's good not great, Doesn't have any serious explosion to his game and may find it difficult to separate at the NFL level, Has good but not great speed and doesn't possess elite athletic skills, Has missed a major chunk of his junior year with a hamstring injury - will have to demonstrate this is the exception rather than the rule for him, Has had a few more drops than you would hope for in a top wideout - mostly due to occasional lapses of concentration rather than anything more intrinsic, Spent most of his college career playing in the slot - so it remains to be seen how he will stand up as an outside threat. 5 Jalin Hyatt - Tennessee. 11 Utah. I doubt it matters what anyone thinks of Smith-Njigba because he likely won't be available at 25. 22 overall pick. You don't currently have any notifications. 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. After that performance, he was touted as one of the top prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. I just try to use all those qualities and get the job done. Seeing him against press coverage in 2021 will be key, but he projects well there. January 21, 2023 11:30 pm ET. 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.". Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. - He's a Grade A slot receiver. However, he began to heat up again as the half went on. 6 Ohio State still trails, 38-31 with the 4th quarter underway. Still, he had earned more . Neither Wilson nor Olave was an overwhelming size threat. He has a very reasonable path to success at the next level, but his lack of elite burst and speed are notable concerns. Hes a fairly easy accelerator who generates solid initial momentum and can freely throttle up and down. More Jaxon Smith-Njigba Pages. 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. 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. 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. He flashes the ability to stack corners on verticals from the slot easily. 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. The NFL offseason is here (silently chuckles on the inside). 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. 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. Game Logs. [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. "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? 19-20 Varsity Football. . [12] Later that season, he set both an Ohio State single game and FBS Bowl record for receiving yards with 347 in Ohio State's win in the 2022 Rose Bowl. One of his most impressive plays of the evening was breaking a tackle and rushing for a 62-yard score. All Rights Reserved. He was named a starter at the slot receiver position for the Buckeyes going into his sophomore season. (19%*), 75 3/8 Jaxon Smith-Njigba believes Ohio State would have won the national championship had he been healthy all of last season. 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. A former five-star recruit, Smith-Njigba has dominated everywhere hes been. 4 Zay Flowers - Boston College. And now, with Wilson and Olave gone, the spotlight is on him alone. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. GET BEARS NEWS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DAILY WITH OUR NEWSLETTER. In 44 high school games, Smith-Njigba racked up 5,346 receiving yards and 82 touchdowns. Current draft projection for Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba wont burn you in the open field with his raw speed, but that isnt necessary for him to succeed. He holds the FBS Bowl Game and Ohio State single game record for most receiving yards with 347 in the 2022 Rose Bowl. Stroud completed 37 of 46 passes for 572 yards and six touchdowns against one interception. He can contort in stride and corral tough passes with ease. 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. "I see myself as a top-five player, not just a receiver. 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. "I was 100 percent as of two weeks ago. NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? 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. He already has a rapport with Fields. But at 6-1 and 200 pounds, running in the upper 4.4s, he is hardly just a slot guy. For comparison, he entered with just five catches for 68 yards on the season. 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. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? He tracks the ball well on long throws and is capable of being a deep threat. NBA Stats. Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba is seen as one of the top wide receiver prospects ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. Still, a first-round selection is a pretty good consolation prize. Statistics. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 6:39AM. Is Ohio State WR and 2023 NFL Draft prospect Jaxon Smith-Njigba the best of the bunch from the historic 2021 OSU trio? 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. Has enough straight-line speed and takes advantage of open seams when his quarterback is on target. In his final two seasons . 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. . - His route running is superior to most wideouts in this draft class. It was the most receiving yards by anyone in bowl history. [5][6] Smith-Njigba finished his high school career with 5,346 career receiving yards and 82 touchdowns in 44 games played. Could the Cowboys look at a running back in first round again? Plays Football. As a freshman, Smith-Njigba was a depth piece who would get a few snaps a game. If production was the only factor, then hed have that title locked down. Hes a route tactician with the route-running chops of an NFL veteran. 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 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. But as a 2023 NFL Draft prospect, is Smith-Njigbas scouting report stronger than his predecessors? UTAH HITS THE END ZONE FIRST IN THE . All rights reserved. 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. 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 is a bit of an enigma athletically. 1 Pick, The Case for Bryce Young To Be the No. You throw me the ball seven to nine times, I can win you the game.". Stroud throw for 573. 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 . In his junior season, Smith-Njigba led the Dallas region with 97 catches for 1,828 yards and 20 touchdowns. Time will tell where he gets drafted, but he's currently one of the more intriguing prospects at wide receiver in the upcoming draft. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including complete game-by-game stats on ESPN 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. Former OSU teammate Garrett Wilson the No. Outrageous Predictions", "Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's record-setting day sparks No. They won that game 64-6. Smith-Njigba struggles with injury after first catch, These five players highlight 2023 NFL mock draft. He missed all but three games of the 2022 season because of a hamstring injury. He also has enough speed to extend RAC opportunities and reach the corner on drags and digs. As a prospect, he rated as the 29th overall prospect. A hamstring injury limited him to three games in 2022, though. Jersey Pos #11 WR . Interestingly enough, while Smith-Njigba is a phenomenal prospect, his production may inflate his stock a bit past his actual value. Rockwall High School Rockwall TX. Smith-Njigba caught 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021. [1] Smith-Njigba led all high school football players in the DallasFort Worth metroplex with 97 receptions for 1,828 yards and 20 touchdowns in his junior season. 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. Resting on the podium overlooking a gaggle of reporters, Jaxon Smith-Njigba looked a composed figure. The 2021 season showed what he could do, however, as he totaled 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. Jaxon Smith-Njigba's NFL Combine profile. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Additionally, he can violently plant and rotate around at stems with impressive quickness. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. Fellow Buckeye Jaxon Smith-Njigba most likely won't be a top five pick but he believes he's that type of talent. 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. While Smith-Njigba is an exceptional player, there are some limitations and areas for improvement to make note of. That's a ringing endorsement from a future contemporary. Stroud has a message for those who question whether Fields can excel as a passer and not just a runner. 1 Pick. Debating NFL draft questions, risers: Concern for Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Kayshon Boutte? If youre like me and youve had a raging fever since Februarythe only prescription is my rookie primers. Going further, Smith-Njigba has enough explosiveness to get out into space and escape congestion after taking short passes. 11 Utah Utes 48-45 in Saturday's Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, to finish the 2021 season with an 11-2 record. . It's impossible to predict where he could go in the upcoming draft, though. Jaxon Smith-Njigba Height 6-1 Weight 200 College Ohio State Position WR Class Junior Home town Rockwall, TX 88.3/100 Player Rating 4 PositionRank (WR) FortyYD Time Receptions 5 Rec YDs 43 Rec TDs Rec AVG PLAYER OVERVIEW STATS WORKOUT COMBINE PLAYER NEWS Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR Ohio State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report Draft Profile: Bio Some of Smith-Njigbas traits suggest that he can translate well against press coverage. 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. - He has had an issue hanging onto the ball at times. 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. His size and strong lower body make him a tricky task for corners once the ball is in his hands. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. [13] In that game, he also recorded 15 receptions (tying his own record set in the aforementioned Nebraska game) and passed David Boston for the single season receiving yards record at Ohio State with 1,606. 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. NBC4 WCMH-TV Video 81-year-old gearing up for the Arnold 5k Pump . Smith-Njigba is already a proficient separator, but he doesnt rely on separation to win. 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. 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. Is he a player worth trading up for in any way? . , Most TD passes in single season by B1G QB, all-time:
50 - Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State (2018)
41 - C.J. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). He has 15 receptions for 92 receiving yards and a score. The vitals on Jaxon Smith-Njigba School: Ohio State Position: Wide receiver Height: 6-1 Weight: 200 pounds Years active: 2020-2022 Here are Jaxon Smith-Njigba's career stats in. 6'1" 190 lbs Senior. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. 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 holds the FBS Bowl Game and Ohio State single game record for most receiving yards with 347 in the 2022 Rose Bowl. Hes able to secure catches with defenders in his wheelhouse, and hes comfortable with very little space. - He already has a rapport with Fields. Jaxon Smith-Njigba's Football Stats. His height, weight, and length are all likely close to the median for wide receivers. He wont blow defenders out of their cleats, but he has the functional strength to hold running lanes or clear a path. height 6' 0" college Ohio State drafted . 11 Utah and No. Smith-Njigba is just 20 years old. Hes not the most explosive or the fastest receiver, but hes a methodical route runner who can employ his brand of athleticism extremely efficiently. The Ohio State WR also has great stop-and-start ability and can break at impressive angles with his loose hips. He quickly chops his feet and decelerates heading into route stems. 3, behind Quentin Johnston (TCU) and Jordan Addison (USC). - Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. Let's find out. The duo didnt work together beyond one season, but it still matters. After catching 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore in 2021, Smith-Njigba . Canaan Elijah Smith-Njigba (born April 30, 1999) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). Graduated in 2020. With those hips, he can expertly manipulate short ranges, as well as use abrupt lateral movements to disrupt tackling angles. The silver lining is that the Ohio State WR flashes great explosive capacity. See our list of forfeits and vacated games for more details. The Ohio State WR is a natural hands catcher, with incredibly smooth body control in the open field when adjusting for throws. I think the best way to describe Jaxon Smith-Njigba is that hes a quarterbacks Phone-a-Friend pic.twitter.com/ZykxbLB2bG. Smith-Njigba isnt necessarily a generational WR prospect, and other wideouts in the 2023 NFL Draft may have better athletic profiles.
Why Did Demore Barnes Leave The Unit,
Is Brian Kelly Related To Chip Kelly,
The Harker School Acceptance Rate,
How Is Scrooge Presented In Stave 3 Quotes,
13858417d2d515cc3e Es,
Articles J
