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. College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN 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. But as a 2023 NFL Draft prospect, is Smith-Njigbas scouting report stronger than his predecessors? Garrett Wilson in 2021 on Jaxon Smith-Njigba. 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. 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. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? All Rights Reserved. 3 Jordan Addison - USC. As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 scores. "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? - 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. He wont always win on explosiveness alone, and he doesnt cover a ton of ground off initial explosions out of cuts. , Most TD passes in single season by B1G QB, all-time:

50 - Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State (2018)
41 - C.J. Smith-Njigbas snap at the top of his stem is excellent, which allows him to create easy separation. 1 Quentin Johnston - TCU. Smith-Njigba grew up in Rockwall, Texas, and attended Rockwall High School. Has good body strength to squirm out of tackles with the coordination to maneuver his frame between defenders. - He tracks the ball well on long throws and is capable of being a deep threat. Every dynasty GM knows there is no offseason. Smith-Njigba has 326 yards receiving, which is the most in any bowl game in college football history. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN [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. 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. Smith-Njigba wont burn you in the open field with his raw speed, but that isnt necessary for him to succeed. 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. 2 wideout in the class, behind Zay Flowers (Boston College), while Todd McShay has him at No. The Ohio State wideout had seen only a few downs of action in 2022. Addison is 6-0 175, Hyatt is 6-0 180. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. NBA Stats. 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. The Ohio State wideout had seen only a few downs of action in 2022. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Or write about sports? 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. Let's take a closer look at JSN's draft profile, and whether the Bears should be interested in his services. Career; Var 19-20; Var 18-19; Var 17-18; Var 16-17; Career Stats. For comparison, he entered with just five catches for 68 yards on the season. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 6:39AM. - Speaking of which, he's a YAC machine. He also sometimes lacks the strength to maintain key blocks on the outside. On the topic of Ohio State, Smith-Njigba expressed regret that he wasn't able to play more. 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. 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. In his final five games, he had 60 catches for 858 yards and six scores. Hes a route tactician with the route-running chops of an NFL veteran. Still, he had earned more than a few admirers, interviewer after interviewer peppering him with questions. 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. And looking at his evaluation, that early-round billing is warranted. 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. Going further, Smith-Njigba appears to lack quantifiably elite explosive burst. Smith-Njigba has done it twice this season. 11 Utah. Rising and the Utes put together five consecutive scoring drives before ending the first half with a punt. - Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Smith-Njigba isnt necessarily a generational WR prospect, and other wideouts in the 2023 NFL Draft may have better athletic profiles. I doubt it matters what anyone thinks of Smith-Njigba because he likely won't be available at 25. He already has a rapport with Fields. Those results won't be made public. January 21, 2023 11:30 pm ET. 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. As a result, many are interested to see how he tests at the Scouting Combine. Harrison, a freshman, also had the best game of his career with Olave and Wilson out of the lineup. While Smith-Njigba is an exceptional player, there are some limitations and areas for improvement to make note of. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? He has a very reasonable path to success at the next level, but his lack of elite burst and speed are notable concerns. 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. 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 . His size and strong lower body make him a tricky task for corners once the ball is in his hands. Going further, Smith-Njigba has enough explosiveness to get out into space and escape congestion after taking short passes. He uses violent targeted swats to combat jams and swipes down arms at the catch point. 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. As a matter of policy, Sports Reference only reports the results of games as played on the field. Game Logs. Smith-Njigba finished with 15 catches for 346 yards and three touchdowns. Stroud is incredible. He carries acceleration through transitions with great hip sink but also presses upfield at stems and actively employs deception. However, theres talk that Smith-Njigba may be one of the best to come out yet. 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. Emeka Egbuka, another freshman receiver, also had a nice outing with three catches for 46 yards. - 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. In 44 high school games, Smith-Njigba racked up 5,346 receiving yards and 82 touchdowns. - Hes difficult to bring down. 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 . Smith-Njigba famously capped his season in style, putting up a Rose Bowl-record 347 receiving yards in the Buckeyes' demolition of USC. [11] On November 6, 2021, Smith-Njigba recorded 15 receptions (single game school record) for 240 yards (the second most receiving yards in a game in school history at the time) and one touchdown in a 2617 win against Nebraska. He understands leverage and can effectively direct DBs away from runners. Still, he had earned more . Hes tough in the middle of the defense and has proven he can make catches in congestion. 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 Ohio State record for most receiving yards in a game.

Coming into this season, Ohio State only had four 200-yard receiving games ever. You don't currently have any notifications. 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. Smith-Njigba struggles with injury after first catch, These five players highlight 2023 NFL mock draft. I just try to use all those qualities and get the job done. Even without elite explosiveness, hes still a very abrupt player whose natural suddenness provides ample value. He holds the FBS Bowl Game and Ohio State single game record for most receiving yards with 347 in the 2022 Rose Bowl. And now, with Wilson and Olave gone, the spotlight is on him alone. He set a Big Ten single-season record with 1,606 . In 2021, Smith-Njigba was the third receiver behind Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, but Smith-Njigba still managed to dominate the competition. Still, a first-round selection is a pretty good consolation prize. If youre like me and youve had a raging fever since Februarythe only prescription is my rookie primers. He finished with six catches for 71 yards and three touchdowns. 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 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 GET BEARS NEWS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DAILY WITH OUR NEWSLETTER. David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. [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. 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. 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. The duo didnt work together beyond one season, but it still matters. 11 Utah Utes 48-45 in Saturday's Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, to finish the 2021 season with an 11-2 record. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Stats: 2021 (251 FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets) Yards per route run: 1st; PFF receiving grade: 1st; Career Breakout age: 75th percentile (19.6) *, Copyright 2010- FantasyPros.com 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. 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. Some school's results have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties. "I'm ready to go out and attack and show my skill set," Smith-Njigba said Friday. Smith-Njigba is now the Ohio State record holder for the most receiving yards in a game. Willing to go up and attack the ball. While its not a huge part of his game (only 16.1% of his 2021 target volume), he can win on vertical routes. The Ohio State WR has great zone and blind-spot awareness, and he can exploit spaces quickly. 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. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. UTAH HITS THE END ZONE FIRST IN THE . NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? In 44 high school games, Smith-Njigba racked up 5,346 receiving yards and 82 touchdowns. Smith-Njigba (hamstring) said he's 100 percent healthy, according to ESPN's Turron Davenport. Additionally, he primarily operated out of the slot in 2021 and frequently had free releases. by Matthew Jones. There's no other way to put it. 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 . - He already has a rapport with Fields. 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. 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. But I just haven't had enough reps on the 40 yet, so pro day you'll see me run.". 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. I don't think he'll be limited to just a slot receiver in the NFL. 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. You can check them all out in our 2023 dynasty draft kit. Standing at 60, 198 pounds, Smith-Njigba fits the Ohio State mold thats been reinforced in previous cycles. 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. 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. Hes more quick than fast. His route running is superior to most wideouts in this draft class. He missed all but three games of the 2022 season because of a hamstring injury. 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. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is one of the smoothest route runners you'll . He has 15 receptions for 92 receiving yards and a score. It was the most receiving yards by anyone in bowl history. Smith-Njigba, who is listed at 6-foot, 240 pounds, is considered the Pirates' 27th-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Find out more. This is me Follow. Despite sharing a wide receiver room with first-rounders Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave last season, Smith-Njigba set single-season school records in catches (95) and . Jaxon is as good as Ive ever seen, probably the best Ive ever seen. But Kiper shifted gears for his second mock, predicting New England to draft Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigbas movement style helps compound his separation ability, but hes already very proficient at using his traits effectively. Jaxon Smith-Njigba believes Ohio State would have won the national championship had he been healthy all of last season. Stroud has a message for those who question whether Fields can excel as a passer and not just a runner. Do you have a blog? He capped 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. He quickly chops his feet and decelerates heading into route stems. Here's everything you need to know about Smith-Njigba's NFL combine performance, measurements and results. 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. I think the best way to describe Jaxon Smith-Njigba is that hes a quarterbacks Phone-a-Friend pic.twitter.com/ZykxbLB2bG. [1] Smith-Njigba caught 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. Those things translate. Current draft projection for Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. [5][6] Smith-Njigba finished his high school career with 5,346 career receiving yards and 82 touchdowns in 44 games played. 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. STROUD 50-YARD TD TO JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA . The Ohio State WR has near-elite stopping ability. (31%*), 30 2/8 Resting on the podium overlooking a gaggle of reporters, Jaxon Smith-Njigba looked a composed figure. . Smith-Njigba is a possession slot receiver who lacks the shake to separate underneath and the speed to run past defenses. Let's find out. Hes tough in the middle of the defense and has proven he can make catches in congestion. MORE:Tracking the fastest 40 times from the 2023 NFL Combine, "My playmaking ability is second to none," Smith-Njigba said. Stacked formations. 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. 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 . He has had an issue hanging onto the ball at times. Smith-Njigba is already a proficient separator, but he doesnt rely on separation to win. The Ohio State WR is a natural hands catcher, with incredibly smooth body control in the open field when adjusting for throws. Time will tell where he gets drafted, but he's currently one of the more intriguing prospects at wide receiver in the upcoming draft. He also lacks breakaway long speed and can be run down in open field by plus athletes. His height, weight, and length are all likely close to the median for wide receivers. 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. Lets find out. Ultimately, however, he committed to Ohio State University. For his size, Smith-Njigba is surprisingly physical. He can create in minimal space with the best of them. Also called him, "the most natural athlete Ive ever seen. Also, in saying that, it has to be mentioned that he is plenty quick to win in the NFL. [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. If anything, Saturday's game showed us the Buckeyes are in good hands moving forward. 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. The Ohio State WR sometimes needs room to quicken his feet and build up speed in short spaces. Jaxon Smith-njigba Stats, News, Fantasy Football Rankings Jaxon Smith-Njigba Wide Receiver Number # AGE 21 weight 198 lbs. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine 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. Ohio State has a type at wide receiver. Moreover, hes a manipulative route runner who can adjust his tempo through reps. He tracks the ball well on long throws and is capable of being a deep threat. 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. Jan 9, 2023. "From playing basketball [as a kid], I feel like my creativity is what sets me apart also. Jaxon Smith-Njigba. "I was 100 percent as of two weeks ago. . Stroud and Smith-Njigba are cooking . While Smith-Njigba entered the game leading Ohio State with 80 catches for 1,259 yards, he ranked third behind Olave and Wilson with six touchdowns. He finished the 2021 season with 95 receptions for 1,595. Is he a player worth trading up for in any way? He also has the most receiving yards in Rose Bowl game history. Time will tell where he gets drafted, but he's currently one of the more intriguing prospects at wide receiver in the upcoming draft. Heres a look at what Smith-Njigba has to offer and where he stands in a crowded 2023 NFL Draft wide receiver class. Below Ill take a closer look at Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He also uses route angles and sudden movements at stems to generate displacement. Some of Smith-Njigbas traits suggest that he can translate well against press coverage. 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. A new home for Michael Thomas? Has enough straight-line speed and takes advantage of open seams when his quarterback is on target. He wont blow defenders out of their cleats, but he has the functional strength to hold running lanes or clear a path. Like other Ohio State WRs before him, Smith-Njigba isnt an overwhelming size threat. The NFL offseason is here (silently chuckles on the inside). 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. Do you have a sports website?