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. Let's take a closer look at JSN's draft profile, and whether the Bears should be interested in his services. - His recent injury history is certainly a concern. Has the strong hands any NFL wide receiver coach and quarterback would covet. Smith-Njigba finished with 15 catches for 346 yards and three touchdowns. In 2021, he was third among FBS wide receivers (minimum 50 targets) in receiving yards (1,595) and second in YAC (790). As a freshman, Smith-Njigba was a depth piece who would get a few snaps a game. Check out Jaxon Smith-Njigba's College Gamelog and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com . "From playing basketball [as a kid], I feel like my creativity is what sets me apart also. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? "I see myself as a top-five player, not just a receiver. The Ohio State WR sometimes needs room to quicken his feet and build up speed in short spaces. The next great one Omg @jaxon_smith1 stop it # . 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. 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. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? [16] Smith-Njigba's older brother, Canaan Smith-Njigba, plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB).[17]. 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. 4 Zay Flowers - Boston College. 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. That may give some teams understandable pause. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 6:39AM. 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. 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 . That may give some teams understandable pause. Despite the disappointing end to Rising's night, the Utes still have a bright future with him at quarterback. See our list of forfeits and vacated games for more details. Willing to go up and attack the ball. "The Patriots have a new offensive coordinator in Bill O'Brien and could . He holds the FBS Bowl Game and Ohio State single game record for most receiving yards with 347 in the 2022 Rose Bowl. 1 Pick, The Case for Will Levis To Be the No. Furthermore, he shows off exceptional reaction quickness and makes high-difficulty adjustments with very little response time. Index Of This Post [ show] Hes a fairly easy accelerator who generates solid initial momentum and can freely throttle up and down. He averaged 8.3 yards after the catch in 2021 and will likely continue that trend in the NFL. The Ohio State WR is a natural hands catcher, with incredibly smooth body control in the open field when adjusting for throws. 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. NBC4 WCMH-TV Video 81-year-old gearing up for the Arnold 5k Pump . 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. He also uses route angles and sudden movements at stems to generate displacement. Hes not the most explosive or the fastest receiver, but hes a methodical route runner who can employ his brand of athleticism extremely efficiently. Hes more quick than fast. Can beat the press with elusiveness or physical contact. As a blocker, Smith-Njigba is an energetic and high-effort player. Sign up now to get access to everything publisher Zack Pearson and the entire Bear Report team have to offer on all things Chicago Bears and access to the No. 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. David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. Finally, Smith-Njigba has shown he can sneak through arm tackles in open space with his slippery running ability and active feet. MORE:Tracking the fastest 40 times from the 2023 NFL Combine, "My playmaking ability is second to none," Smith-Njigba said. The Ohio State wideout had seen only a few downs of action in 2022. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. He understands leverage and can effectively direct DBs away from runners. It's impossible to predict where he could go in the upcoming draft, though. Standing at 60, 198 pounds, Smith-Njigba fits the Ohio State mold thats been reinforced in previous cycles. Stats. And when the ball comes his way, Smith-Njigba has rare instincts and excellent hands. Amateur career [ edit] Smith-Njigba attended Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Texas, where he played baseball. As it turns out, all the Buckeyes needed was Jaxon Smith-Njigba. . Moreover, hes a manipulative route runner who can adjust his tempo through reps. Even without elite explosiveness, hes still a very abrupt player whose natural suddenness provides ample value. He hit .258 with .760 OPS last season, missing almost six weeks with a right thigh injury. Rockwall High School Rockwall TX. We'll see if this matters at all when it comes to his draft stock. 2023 NFL Draft Highlights: Jaxon. 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 . Buckeyes' Smith-Njigba, Williams back vs. Iowa, Ohio State rules out Smith-Njigba, Williams. 2 wideout in the class, behind Zay Flowers (Boston College), while Todd McShay has him at No. Elsewhere, Smith-Njigba is prone to occasional focus drops, often when he has to extend beyond his frame for passes. Menu Shop Menu Standings Menu Stats Menu Super Bowl Menu Teams Menu Tickets Menu More . Stroud tossed an interception on the opening drive of the second half. Neither Wilson nor Olave was an overwhelming size threat. He was a five-star recruit from Rockwall (Texas) High School. Resting on the podium overlooking a gaggle of reporters, Jaxon Smith-Njigba looked a composed figure. A hamstring injury limited him to three games in 2022, though. . NFL teams really only have his 2021 stats (95 . He carries acceleration through transitions with great hip sink but also presses upfield at stems and actively employs deception. 3 Jordan Addison - USC. Smith-Njigba could be an immediate target hog in the NFL. 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. He also has the most receiving yards in Rose Bowl game history. Runs elite crisp routes with sharp cuts. - Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. 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. Jaxon Smith-Njigba Breaks Rose Bowl Receiving Record as OSU Tops Utah in Thriller Erin Walsh January 1, 2022 AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill The No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. 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. 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.". 6 Ohio State won a 48 . As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 scores. Has enough straight-line speed and takes advantage of open seams when his quarterback is on target. / 2023 2024 BYE WEEK. 6 Ohio State still trails, 38-31 with the 4th quarter underway. Here's a look at Jaxon Smith-Njigba. 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. - He's a Grade A slot receiver. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is one of the smoothest route runners you'll . As a matter of policy, Sports Reference only reports the results of games as played on the field. He averaged 8.3 yards after the catch in 2021 and will likely continue that trend in the NFL. . The sophomore was a supernova against the Utah secondary, hauling in 15 catches for 347 yards and three touchdowns. - He has had an issue hanging onto the ball at times. Stats: 2021 (251 FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets) Yards per route run: 1st; PFF receiving grade: 1st; Career Breakout age: 75th percentile (19.6) His route running is superior to most wideouts in this draft class. Smith-Njigba's central role in the offense was expected to be a major part of OSU's identity as a national championship contender. 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. Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. In 2021, Smith-Njigba was the third receiver behind Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, but Smith-Njigba still managed to dominate the competition. 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. He also sometimes lacks the strength to maintain key blocks on the outside. He can create in minimal space with the best of them. Smith-Njigba can manipulate and change his route path in tight spaces while keeping his speed. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. If the Bears have a chance to snag him, JSN feels like one of the few no-brainers of the draft. His size and strong lower body make him a tricky task for corners once the ball is in his hands. 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 can contort in stride and corral tough passes with ease. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including complete game-by-game stats on ESPN - His route running is superior to most wideouts in this draft class. I doubt it matters what anyone thinks of Smith-Njigba because he likely won't be available at 25. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. 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. 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, Disputed loan at center of Commanders probe, Kiper's updated NFL mock draft: Who's moving up for a QB? Hes a tenacious blocker who engages well with defenders and anchors them. 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. Stroud. 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. He can also pinch tight angles around defensive backs while accelerating, showing off valuable ankle flexion. With 15 catches for 347 yards Saturday, Jaxon Smith-Njigba became Ohio State's single-season record holder in receptions (95) and yards (1,606). 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. "I'm ready to go out and attack and show my skill set," Smith-Njigba said Friday. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. Current draft projection for Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Hes tough in the middle of the defense and has proven he can make catches in congestion. Are you looking to contact Customer Support about a subscription or account related question? 9 He also has enough speed to extend RAC opportunities and reach the corner on drags and digs. People will knock him for his long speed BUT thats not how he wins. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. 1 Pick. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. 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. 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. - 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. For comparison, he entered with just five catches for 68 yards on the season. I just try to use all those qualities and get the job done. Game Logs. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. Jaxon Smith-Njigba's NFL Combine profile. If anything, Saturday's game showed us the Buckeyes are in good hands moving forward. The Ohio State WR has near-elite stopping ability. The Ohio State wideout had seen only a few downs of action in 2022. Addison is 6-0 175, Hyatt is 6-0 180. 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. . ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer, in his latest mock draft,has Smith-Njigba going to the Chargers with the No. The Ohio State WR also has great stop-and-start ability and can break at impressive angles with his loose hips. 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. In his final two seasons . [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. 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. 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. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is breaking records as he scored the go-ahead touchdown on a right corner fade. While hes not an elite explosive threat, Smith-Njigbas cylindrical twitch is high-level, and he uses that trait to get DBs off-balance. 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. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. 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 . 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. 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. [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 grew up in Rockwall, Texas, and attended Rockwall High School. UTAH HITS THE END ZONE FIRST IN THE . Some of Smith-Njigbas traits suggest that he can translate well against press coverage. 11 Utah. Tracks the deep ball over either shoulder and brings in passes fluidly without breaking stride downfield. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. - Hes difficult to bring down. Career; Var 19-20; Var 18-19; Var 17-18; Var 16-17; Career Stats. 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. 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. Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba to miss Peach Bowl, enter 2023 NFL Draft Smith-Njigba had five receptions for 43 yards this season. Smith-Njigba flashes the capacity for great explosion, especially when hes on the attack either surging into space or pursuing blockers. Hes tough in the middle of the defense and has proven he can make catches in congestion. Jaxon Smith-Njigba believes Ohio State would have won the national championship had he been healthy all of last season. - Speaking of which, he's a YAC machine. I see myself as a top-five player in this draft. However, theres talk that Smith-Njigba may be one of the best to come out yet. (31%*), 30 2/8 Jaxon Smith-njigba Stats, News, Fantasy Football Rankings Jaxon Smith-Njigba Wide Receiver Number # AGE 21 weight 198 lbs. JSN's Rose Bowl performance against Utah, albeit with the Utes drastically undermanned in the secondary and Olave and Wilson sitting out, was a . Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba confident he is 'a top-five player' in 2023 NFL Draft: 'I can win you the game', Tracking the fastest 40 times from the 2023 NFL Combine, Follow live updates, highlights from NFL Combine workouts, Updated NFL Draft big board of top 125 players overall, position rankings. The Ohio State WR trio of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will go down in the college football history books. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Smith-Njigba as the No. If youre like me and youve had a raging fever since Februarythe only prescription is my rookie primers. 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. Also, in saying that, it has to be mentioned that he is plenty quick to win in the NFL. Heres a look at what Smith-Njigba has to offer and where he stands in a crowded 2023 NFL Draft wide receiver class. 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. All Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Jaxon Smith-Njigba.