Stroud. 6'1" 190 lbs Senior. Smith-Njigba is a bit of an enigma athletically. January 21, 2023 11:30 pm ET. The Ohio State WR has near-elite stopping ability. 1 site covering the team! Menu Shop Menu Standings Menu Stats Menu Super Bowl Menu Teams Menu Tickets Menu More . People will knock him for his long speed BUT thats not how he wins. And Smith-Njigba holds up his end there as well. Stroud tossed an interception on the opening drive of the second half. 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 . Hes a tenacious blocker who engages well with defenders and anchors them. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. After catching 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore in 2021, Smith-Njigba . They won that game 64-6. Game Logs. - 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. If youre like me and youve had a raging fever since Februarythe only prescription is my rookie primers. 2 wideout in the class, behind Zay Flowers (Boston College), while Todd McShay has him at No. Rockwall High School Rockwall TX. 2 Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Ohio State. He was replaced by freshman quarterback Bryson Barnes. Smith-Njigba wont burn you in the open field with his raw speed, but that isnt necessary for him to succeed. Elsewhere, Smith-Njigba is prone to occasional focus drops, often when he has to extend beyond his frame for passes. Smith-Njigba has 326 yards receiving, which is the most in any bowl game in college football history. In 2021, Smith-Njigba was the third receiver behind Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, but Smith-Njigba still managed to dominate the competition. Fellow Buckeye Jaxon Smith-Njigba most likely won't be a top five pick but he believes he's that type of talent. 3 Jordan Addison - USC. Stroud dropped a dime to Marvin Harrison Jr. , C.J. He has very fluid hips. He was a five-star recruit from Rockwall (Texas) High School. Check out Jaxon Smith-Njigba's College Gamelog and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com . Still, he had earned more . Jaxon Smith-Njigba believes Ohio State would have won the national championship had he been healthy all of last season. See our list of forfeits and vacated games for more details. 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. He hit .258 with .760 OPS last season, missing almost six weeks with a right thigh injury. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Smith-Njigba as the No. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN While Smith-Njigba is an exceptional player, there are some limitations and areas for improvement to make note of. 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 just think my playmaking ability is second to none in this draft," he said. Music Outro: Eminem - Lose YourselfSecond Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8n8qjtOWK1j3tFiZAeeZ4QInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/justin_stewar. For comparison, he entered with just five catches for 68 yards on the season. He has 15 receptions for 92 receiving yards and a score. 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. 19-20 Varsity Football. The duo didnt work together beyond one season, but it still matters. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. A text message to Smith-Njigba has not been returned yet. A new home for Michael Thomas? The No. However, he needs more press experience on the boundary to prove it. - His route running is superior to most wideouts in this draft class. "From playing basketball [as a kid], I feel like my creativity is what sets me apart also. 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. Another component that helps Smith-Njigba, however, is his agility and ease of motion. After that performance, he was touted as one of the top prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 scores. Hes difficult to bring down. ", Smith-Njigba feels 100% after injury-marred '22, Jones: Not fixated on Cowboys' drought, just '23, Sources: Raiders plan franchise tag for Jacobs, WR Addison to Steelers' Pickett: 'Come get me', Wolverines' Turner wows with 4.26 40 at combine, Top QB prospect Levis eager to unleash 'cannon', QB Bennett addresses off-field issues at combine, Campbell: Lamar wants deal done with Ravens, Alabama QB Young undeterred by size questions, The most memorable pre-NFL draft workouts ever: Coaches, scouts, execs make their picks, 2023 NFL franchise tag tracker: Raiders tag Josh Jacobs, the NFL's rushing leader, Browns' offense: Grading positions ahead of free agency, 2023 draft, Jaguars won't spend big, but here are five players they could target in free agency. Smith-Njigba caught 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. He can create in minimal space with the best of them. One of his most impressive plays of the evening was breaking a tackle and rushing for a 62-yard score. Plays Football. While Stroud ended the first half on a high note, he and the OSU offense got out to a rough start to open the third quarter. Smith-Njigba was the leading receiver on a team that featured last year's NFL rookie . Garrett Wilson still maintains that Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a better receiver than him or Chris Olave. He only played three games in 2022 due to a lingering. Stroud completed 37 of 46 passes for 572 yards and six touchdowns against one interception. He also has enough speed to extend RAC opportunities and reach the corner on drags and digs. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. He finished the 2021 season with 95 receptions for 1,595. 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. 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. [8][9], Smith-Njigba played in seven games as a freshman and led Ohio State's freshmen with 10 receptions for 49 yards and one touchdown.[10]. Stroud throw for 573. 1 Pick, The Case for Will Levis To Be the No. Runs elite crisp routes with sharp cuts. He earned rave reviews from a number of media outlets. Still, he had earned more than a few admirers, interviewer after interviewer peppering him with questions. Can the Lions fix their defense? As a prospect, he rated as the 29th overall prospect. UTAH HITS THE END ZONE FIRST IN THE . As a blocker, Smith-Njigba is an energetic and high-effort player. In 2021, he earned third-team All-America after snagging 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore. On the topic of Ohio State, Smith-Njigba expressed regret that he wasn't able to play more. MORE:Updated NFL Draft big board of top 125 players overall, position rankings. 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. He holds the FBS Bowl Game and Ohio State single game record for most receiving yards with 347 in the 2022 Rose Bowl. He set a Big Ten single-season record with 1,606 . Smith-Njigba and Addison finished third and fourth in receiving yards in 2021, respectively, first and second among Power Five players, and JSN's Rose Bowl performance put him over the top. Smith-Njigba famously capped his season in style, putting up a Rose Bowl-record 347 receiving yards in the Buckeyes' demolition of USC. 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. The Buckeyes entered with a chip on their shoulder after missing out on the College Football Playoff for the first time in three years. 11 Utah. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State) . Stats: 2021 (251 FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets) Yards per route run: 1st; PFF receiving grade: 1st; Career Breakout age: 75th percentile (19.6) Or write about sports? Hes a fairly easy accelerator who generates solid initial momentum and can freely throttle up and down. 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. Jaxon is as good as Ive ever seen, probably the best Ive ever seen. 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. He also uses route angles and sudden movements at stems to generate displacement. 1 Pick, The Case for Bryce Young To Be the 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. Jaxon has played on 4 football teams covered by MaxPreps. You can check them all out in our 2023 dynasty draft kit. 1 Quentin Johnston - TCU. 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. That may give some teams understandable pause. The Buckeyes are winning 45-38 thanks to the 85-yard drive capped by Smith-Njigba. With lacking elite explosiveness and burst, Smith-Njigba isnt going to offer a consistent dynamic element downfield. Entering Saturday's game, Rising had completed 62.8 percent of his passes for 2,279 yards and 18 touchdowns against five interceptions, in addition to rushing for 407 yards and five scores. Here's everything you need to know about Smith-Njigba's NFL combine performance, measurements and results. Canaan Elijah Smith-Njigba (born April 30, 1999) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). He already has a rapport with Fields. 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. Over the final five games of the 2021 season, the Texas native accumulated 60 receptions for 958 yards and six touchdowns. 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. 2023 NFL Draft Highlights: Jaxon. Current draft projection for Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. With those hips, he can expertly manipulate short ranges, as well as use abrupt lateral movements to disrupt tackling angles. 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. Every dynasty GM knows there is no offseason. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. Jaxon Smith-njigba Stats, News, Fantasy Football Rankings Jaxon Smith-Njigba Wide Receiver Number # AGE 21 weight 198 lbs. . Additionally, the Ohio State WR consistently finishes forward on RAC plays and actively uses stiff arms to delay and disrupt tackle attempts. The silver lining is that the Ohio State WR flashes great explosive capacity. 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 . Smith-Njigba's performance helped C.J. 11 Utah and No. Jaxon Smith-Njigba's NFL Combine profile. [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. He averaged 8.3 yards after the catch in 2021 and will likely continue that trend in the NFL. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. He carries acceleration through transitions with great hip sink but also presses upfield at stems and actively employs deception. Stroud has a message for those who question whether Fields can excel as a passer and not just a runner. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. 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. But if you want a well-rounded, high-floor receiver who can churn out 1,000-yard seasons year after year, Smith-Njigba is your guy. I'm taking things slowly to close the book on this nagging injury, which I feel like I have. He can create in minimal space with the best of them. Saturday's game was Ohio State's 16th appearance in the Rose Bowl, entering with an 8-7 record in Pasadena. Outrageous Predictions", "Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's record-setting day sparks No. 11 Utah Utes 48-45 in Saturday's Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, to finish the 2021 season with an 11-2 record. Hes a guy that will do the laundry for you pic.twitter.com/oFeHCi8qPj. I doubt it matters what anyone thinks of Smith-Njigba because he likely won't be available at 25. 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 . . The Ohio State WR trio of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will go down in the college football history books. 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. Stats. In 2021, he was third among FBS wide receivers (minimum 50 targets) in receiving yards (1,595) and second in YAC (790). And judging by the way those around the league view the 21-year old, it seems Smith-Njigba will have every chance to prove his worth at the next level. Even without elite explosiveness, hes still a very abrupt player whose natural suddenness provides ample value. Who are the top WR's in the 2023 NFL draft? Some school's results have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties. "The Patriots have a new offensive coordinator in Bill O'Brien and could . In 2022, Fields rushed for 1,143 yardsthe second most by a quarterback in NFL historyand eight touchdowns and threw for 2,242 yards with 17 TDs, 11 interceptions and an 85.2 passer rating. 5-ranked player overall in the state of Texas, Played in the Army All-American game in San Antonio, Compiled 5,346 career receiving yards and 82 touchdowns in 44 career games at High School, Super productive slot receiver who Led Ohio state in receptions and yardage in 2021 despite playing officially as the third receiver behind Olave and Garret Wilson, Smooth hips with outstanding agility who is equally adept at moving laterally as vertically, Has outstanding soft hands demonstrated by his impressive 141.8 QB rating when targetted in 2021. 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). Some projections have him falling into the second round, but he could still be a Round 1 selection. Smith-Njigba could be an immediate target hog in the NFL. 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. Speaking of which, he's a YAC machine. He finished with six catches for 71 yards and three touchdowns. Smith-Njigba's central role in the offense was expected to be a major part of OSU's identity as a national championship contender. Smith-Njigba turned down offers from multiple in-state schools and decided to take his talents to Columbus. Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a bold message at the 2023 NFL Draft Combine, wrote the Athletic Chicago Bears beat writer Kevin Fishbain wrote in a Thursday tweet. In 44 high school games, Smith-Njigba racked up 5,346 receiving yards and 82 touchdowns. The Ohio State wideout had seen only a few downs of action in 2022. 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. Standing at 60, 198 pounds, Smith-Njigba fits the Ohio State mold thats been reinforced in previous cycles. 4 Zay Flowers - Boston College. Finally, Smith-Njigba has shown he can sneak through arm tackles in open space with his slippery running ability and active feet. 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. Lets find out. *, Copyright 2010- FantasyPros.com Jersey Pos #11 WR . And when the ball comes his way, Smith-Njigba has rare instincts and excellent hands. Smith-Njigba is now the Ohio State record holder for the most receiving yards in a game. He missed all but three games of the 2022 season because of a hamstring injury. (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. 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. Its important not to speak in absolutes, but another strong season would almost assuredly grant Smith-Njigba first-round capital. 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. He also set an Ohio State and FBS. 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. MORE:Tracking the fastest 40 times from the 2023 NFL Combine, "My playmaking ability is second to none," Smith-Njigba said. The NFL offseason is here (silently chuckles on the inside). [16] Smith-Njigba's older brother, Canaan Smith-Njigba, plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB).[17]. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Also called him, "the most natural athlete Ive ever seen. Tracks the deep ball over either shoulder and brings in passes fluidly without breaking stride downfield. Graduated in 2020. Smith-Njigba struggles with injury after first catch, These five players highlight 2023 NFL mock draft. In addition to Stroud, Smith-Njigba, who had a record-setting night, and Marvin Harrison Jr. also had incredible evenings. (19%*), 75 3/8 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. STATISTICS. He. Debating NFL draft questions, risers: Concern for Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Kayshon Boutte? Index Of This Post [ show] While both had their own unique nuances as individual prospects, they both won largely with their ability to separate and convert at the catch point. The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer, in his latest mock draft,has Smith-Njigba going to the Chargers with the No. Garrett Wilson in 2021 on Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Coming to the team, it was assumed he would have to wait his time sitting behind a loaded receiving core for the Buckeyes. Rising had a difficult second half, and things got even worse when he was sacked by Ohio State's Kourt Williams II and had to be taken out of the game in the fourth quarter. 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. Willing to go up and attack the ball. . 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 last time Ohio State took the field, Ryan Day's squad was embarrassed in a 42-27 loss to Michigan. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. It's officially NFL draft season, so it's time to get to know the best players at every positions in the 2023 class. He made his MLB debut in 2022. He quickly chops his feet and decelerates heading into route stems. In his junior season, Smith-Njigba led the Dallas region with 97 catches for 1,828 yards and 20 touchdowns. 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. If anything, Saturday's game showed us the Buckeyes are in good hands moving forward. Is Ohio State WR and 2023 NFL Draft prospect Jaxon Smith-Njigba the best of the bunch from the historic 2021 OSU trio? 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. 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 understands leverage and can effectively direct DBs away from runners. "I'm ready to go out and attack and show my skill set," Smith-Njigba said Friday. 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.
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