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. 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. Rising and the Utes put together five consecutive scoring drives before ending the first half with a punt. He hit .258 with .760 OPS last season, missing almost six weeks with a right thigh injury. 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. 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. The Buckeyes entered with a chip on their shoulder after missing out on the College Football Playoff for the first time in three years. David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. He finished the 2021 season with 95 receptions for 1,595. 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. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is one of the smoothest route runners you'll . 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). While its not a huge part of his game (only 16.1% of his 2021 target volume), he can win on vertical routes. 3 Jordan Addison - USC. 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. 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 Willing to go up and attack the ball. He has 15 receptions for 92 receiving yards and a score. As it turns out, all the Buckeyes needed was Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Jaxon Smith-Njigba believes Ohio State would have won the national championship had he been healthy all of last season. NFL teams really only have his 2021 stats (95 . Game Logs. 6'1" 190 lbs Senior. 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. His height, weight, and length are all likely close to the median for wide receivers. In addition to Stroud, Smith-Njigba, who had a record-setting night, and Marvin Harrison Jr. also had incredible evenings. That may give some teams understandable pause. He averaged 8.3 yards after the catch in 2021 and will likely continue that trend in the NFL. The duo didnt work together beyond one season, but it still matters. "I was 100 percent as of two weeks ago. Check out Jaxon Smith-Njigba's College Gamelog and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com . Do you have a blog? Ultimately, however, he committed to Ohio State University. Any team investing possible 1st round capital in him knows who they are getting. The No. 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. A former five-star recruit, Smith-Njigba has dominated everywhere hes been. He wont blow defenders out of their cleats, but he has the functional strength to hold running lanes or clear a path. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN 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. Hes more quick than fast. - He's a Grade A slot receiver. Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR Prospect Join Our Discord Height 6' 0" Weight 196 lbs Arm Length - Draft Pick - 2023 College Ohio State Age 21.0 High School Workouts 4.62 46th 91.1 68th 31.1 15th 4.25 58th 76.0 15th 40-Time Speed Score Vertical Jump 20 Yard Shuttle Scouting Grade College Dominator 14.2% (11th) College YPR 12.8 (25th) College Target Share As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. 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. Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. He has had an issue hanging onto the ball at times. 1 Pick, The Case for C.J. Stroud. He has good acceleration off the line and can use fast feet to gain speed as he heads upfield. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. He has very fluid hips. Not a VIP subscriber to the Bear Report? Graduated in 2020. You can check them all out in our 2023 dynasty draft kit. 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. January 21, 2023 11:30 pm ET. The NFL offseason is here (silently chuckles on the inside). Smith-Njigba flashes the capacity for great explosion, especially when hes on the attack either surging into space or pursuing blockers. Additionally, he primarily operated out of the slot in 2021 and frequently had free releases. Smith-Njigba finished the game with a mind-boggling 15 catches, 347 yards and three touchdowns as Ohio State scored a dramatic 48-45 victory over the Utes. In 2021, he earned third-team All-America after snagging 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore. Here's everything you need to know about Smith-Njigba's NFL combine performance, measurements and results. 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. Let's take a closer look at JSN's draft profile, and whether the Bears should be interested in his services. "I'm ready to go out and attack and show my skill set," Smith-Njigba said Friday. 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. - Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. Hes a route tactician with the route-running chops of an NFL veteran. One of his most impressive plays of the evening was breaking a tackle and rushing for a 62-yard score. Could the Cowboys look at a running back in first round again? 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. Jaxon Smith-Njigba Height, Weight and Hand Size He already has a rapport with Fields. 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. A hamstring injury limited him to three games in 2022, though. 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. Lets find out. Smith-Njigba could be an immediate target hog in the NFL. He can create in minimal space with the best of them. Stroud throw for 573. Do you have a sports website? If youre like me and youve had a raging fever since Februarythe only prescription is my rookie primers. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. UTAH HITS THE END ZONE FIRST IN THE . Going further, Smith-Njigba has the play strength to pry the ball away from DBs at the catch point. 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. MORE:Tracking the fastest 40 times from the 2023 NFL Combine, "My playmaking ability is second to none," Smith-Njigba said. C.J. Here's a look at Jaxon Smith-Njigba. hamstring injury limited him to three games in 2022, though. In his junior season, Smith-Njigba led the Dallas region with 97 catches for 1,828 yards and 20 touchdowns. C.J. Heres a look at what Smith-Njigba has to offer and where he stands in a crowded 2023 NFL Draft wide receiver class. Stroud is incredible. As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 scores. This is me Follow. He was a five-star recruit from Rockwall (Texas) High School. 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. For his size, Smith-Njigba is surprisingly physical. Emeka Egbuka, another freshman receiver, also had a nice outing with three catches for 46 yards. (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. 5 Jalin Hyatt - Tennessee. As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 scores. Additionally, he can violently plant and rotate around at stems with impressive quickness. Jaxon Smith-Njigba. MORE:Follow live updates, highlights from NFL Combine workouts. Hes able to secure catches with defenders in his wheelhouse, and hes comfortable with very little space. 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. 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-Njigba (hamstring) said he's 100 percent healthy, according to ESPN's Turron Davenport. 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. Has the strong hands any NFL wide receiver coach and quarterback would covet. 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. 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. 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. NBC4 WCMH-TV Video 81-year-old gearing up for the Arnold 5k Pump . Jaxon is as good as Ive ever seen, probably the best Ive ever seen. 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. If the picks line up, adding Smith-Njigba would be an easy decision for Chicago. Hes a guy that will do the laundry for you pic.twitter.com/oFeHCi8qPj. [1] As a freshman, Smith-Njigba was a depth piece who would get a few snaps a game. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including complete game-by-game stats on ESPN Those results won't be made public. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. The Player the Ravens Should Be Watching at the . The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. He quickly chops his feet and decelerates heading into route stems. 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 following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Amateur career [ edit] Smith-Njigba attended Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Texas, where he played baseball. Are you looking to contact Customer Support about a subscription or account related question? He wins with excellent, quick footwork at the line and in space. . 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. (31%*), 30 2/8 Smith-Njigba is a bit of an enigma athletically. Stats at ESPN.com. 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. 2022; 2021; 2020; Career; 2021 Game Logs * indicates bowl game; 2021 Game Logs Table; Receiving Punt Ret; Rk Date School Opponent Rec Yds Avg TD Ret Yds Avg TD; 1: 2021-09 . - His route running is superior to most wideouts in this draft class. He also lacks breakaway long speed and can be run down in open field by plus athletes. 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. Can the Lions fix their defense? He was a 5-star recruit and the fifth WR in his class. e's a Grade A slot receiver. He only played three games in 2022 due to a lingering. Smith-Njigba is a possession slot receiver who lacks the shake to separate underneath and the speed to run past defenses. "I just think my playmaking ability is second to none in this draft," he said. Those things translate. 10 overall to the Jets) and Chris Olave (No. Pro Football Network, LLC. Hes difficult to bring down. 11 Utah. People will knock him for his long speed BUT thats not how he wins. And Smith-Njigba holds up his end there as well. But after a frustrating junior year, Smith-Njigba intends to show that he is the best receiver in this year's draft. 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. Saturday's game was Ohio State's 16th appearance in the Rose Bowl, entering with an 8-7 record in Pasadena. They were saying the Giants needed OL, edge and CB first. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. For comparison, he entered with just five catches for 68 yards on the season. Still, he had earned more . - Speaking of which, he's a YAC machine. Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba to miss Peach Bowl, enter 2023 NFL Draft Smith-Njigba had five receptions for 43 yards this season. I'm taking things slowly to close the book on this nagging injury, which I feel like I have. Smith-Njigba, who is listed at 6-foot, 240 pounds, is considered the Pirates' 27th-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Garrett Wilson still maintains that Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a better receiver than him or Chris Olave. "The Patriots have a new offensive coordinator in Bill O'Brien and could . 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. Jan 9, 2023. The silver lining is that the Ohio State WR flashes great explosive capacity. Former OSU teammate Garrett Wilson the No. The Case for Anthony Richardson To Be the No. 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. You can check them all out in our, How to Prepare for Your Dynasty Rookie Draft, Dynasty Rookie Draft Pick Trade Strategy & Advice, Fantasy Football Draft Values to Target: Tight Ends (2023), Dynasty Trade Advice: Trade Jamaal Williams (2023 Fantasy Football), Fantasy Football Draft Sleepers: Jake Ferguson (2023), 2023 NFL Free Agent Predictions: Aaron Rodgers & Jimmy Garoppolo (Fantasy Football), 2023 NFL Free Agent Running Backs: Devin Singletary (Fantasy Football), Fantasy Football Draft Quarterback Breakouts (2023), No, I'm a California resident looking for the California Consumer Privacy Act form, Limited to three games played in 2022 due to a hamstring injury. - 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. A native of Rockwall, TX, Smith-Njigba has impressive route-running, agility, and a knack for making plays with the ball in his hands. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. There's no other way to put it. 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.". After catching 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore in 2021, Smith-Njigba . 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. [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. He had six drops in his 2021 campaign. [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. "I just think . - He tracks the ball well on long throws and is capable of being a deep threat. Smith-Njigba is just 20 years old. 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. It was also the Buckeyes' first game against the Utes since 1986. Scouts aren't the only football people high on Smith-Njigba. Or write about sports? Career; Var 19-20; Var 18-19; Var 17-18; Var 16-17; Career Stats. He finished with six catches for 71 yards and three touchdowns. Smith-Njigba proceeded to shatter the school's record for most receiving yards in a game, previously held by Terry Glenn with 253 yards. He also uses route angles and sudden movements at stems to generate displacement. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. [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. He set a Big Ten single-season record with 1,606 . Is Ohio State WR and 2023 NFL Draft prospect Jaxon Smith-Njigba the best of the bunch from the historic 2021 OSU trio? 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. The duo didnt work together beyond one season, but it still matters. 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. Fellow Buckeye Jaxon Smith-Njigba most likely won't be a top five pick but he believes he's that type of talent. I don't think he'll be limited to just a slot receiver in the NFL. 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 ANY GAME! In 2021, Smith-Njigba was the third receiver behind Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, but Smith-Njigba still managed to dominate the competition. Additionally, the Ohio State WR consistently finishes forward on RAC plays and actively uses stiff arms to delay and disrupt tackle attempts. Rice is 6-0 200, Flowers is 5-9 180. He. We'll see if this matters at all when it comes to his draft stock. Outrageous Predictions", "Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's record-setting day sparks No. In his final five games, he had 60 catches for 858 yards and six scores.