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. He finished the 2021 season with 95 receptions for 1,595. Has good body strength to squirm out of tackles with the coordination to maneuver his frame between defenders. Jersey Pos #11 WR . 10 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft believes Smith-Njigba brings a skill set greater than that of himself or Chris Olave, another Ohio State alum who went in the first round of last year's draft. Does a nice job locating and tracking deep passes and is a legitimate vertical threat. As a result, many are interested to see how he tests at the Scouting Combine. Its important not to speak in absolutes, but another strong season would almost assuredly grant Smith-Njigba first-round capital. He also has enough speed to extend RAC opportunities and reach the corner on drags and digs. Are you looking to contact Customer Support about a subscription or account related question? Moreover, hes a manipulative route runner who can adjust his tempo through reps. If the Bears have a chance to snag him, JSN feels like one of the few no-brainers of the draft. Smith-Njigba could be an immediate target hog in the NFL. Smith -Njigba played minimally with Bears . He has very fluid hips. Hes an extremely sudden, amped-up mover who stores immense amounts of potential energy within his frame. 3, behind Quentin Johnston (TCU) and Jordan Addison (USC). His receiving yard total is a new. Smith-Njigba's performance helped C.J. 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. 3 Jordan Addison - USC. They were saying the Giants needed OL, edge and CB first. Another component that helps Smith-Njigba, however, is his agility and ease of motion. The Ohio State WR has great zone and blind-spot awareness, and he can exploit spaces quickly. I'm taking things slowly to close the book on this nagging injury, which I feel like I have. A native of Rockwall, TX, Smith-Njigba has impressive route-running, agility, and a knack for making plays with the ball in his hands. 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 . C.J. It's impossible to predict where he could go in the upcoming draft, though. He also holds Ohio State records . 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. - Speaking of which, he's a YAC machine. 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. Check out Jaxon Smith-Njigba's College Gamelog and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com . He also has the most receiving yards in Rose Bowl game history. Stacked formations. Jaxon Smith-Njigba believes Ohio State would have won the national championship had he been healthy all of last season. JSN's Rose Bowl performance against Utah, albeit with the Utes drastically undermanned in the secondary and Olave and Wilson sitting out, was a . Is he a player worth trading up for in any way? 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. Stroud throw for 573. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine Smith-Njigba turned down offers from multiple in-state schools and decided to take his talents to Columbus. Resting on the podium overlooking a gaggle of reporters, Jaxon Smith-Njigba looked a composed figure. 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. e's a Grade A slot receiver. He wins with excellent, quick footwork at the line and in space. The Ohio State WR is a natural hands catcher, with incredibly smooth body control in the open field when adjusting for throws. NBA Stats. Let's find out. Time will tell where he gets drafted, but he's currently one of the more intriguing prospects at wide receiver in the upcoming draft. 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? 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. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Smith-Njigba as the No. Smith-Njigba finished with 15 catches for 346 yards and three touchdowns. (31%*), 30 2/8 As a matter of policy, Sports Reference only reports the results of games as played on the field. Smith-Njigba was born and raised in Rockwall, Texas, and graduated from Rockwall High School. - Hes difficult to bring down. In 44 high school games, Smith-Njigba racked up 5,346 receiving yards and 82 touchdowns. - 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. - He's a Grade A slot receiver. 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. We'll see if this matters at all when it comes to his draft stock. I just try to use all those qualities and get the job done. Find out more. Ultimately, however, he committed to Ohio State University. He believes that if he had, confetti could have rained down on the scarlet and gray. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Those things translate. Hes a fairly easy accelerator who generates solid initial momentum and can freely throttle up and down. And when the ball comes his way, Smith-Njigba has rare instincts and excellent hands. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN 11 Utah. As a prospect, he rated as the 29th overall prospect. 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. However, he began to heat up again as the half went on. Emeka Egbuka, another freshman receiver, also had a nice outing with three catches for 46 yards. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. The duo didnt work together beyond one season, but it still matters. 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. 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. The Player the Ravens Should Be Watching at the . [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. I doubt it matters what anyone thinks of Smith-Njigba because he likely won't be available at 25. His size and strong lower body make him a tricky task for corners once the ball is in his hands. - Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. Additionally, he can violently plant and rotate around at stems with impressive quickness. 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. He has good acceleration off the line and can use fast feet to gain speed as he heads upfield. Smith-Njigba is a bit of an enigma athletically. 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. In 2021, Smith-Njigba was the third receiver behind Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, but Smith-Njigba still managed to dominate the competition. Stroud and Smith-Njigba are cooking . 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. - His route running is superior to most wideouts in this draft class. "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? Hes a tenacious blocker who engages well with defenders and anchors them. January 21, 2023 11:30 pm ET. College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. He has had an issue hanging onto the ball at times. We present them here for purely educational purposes. It was the most receiving yards by anyone in bowl history. As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Graduated in 2020. 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. He averaged 8.3 yards after the catch in 2021 and will likely continue that trend in the NFL. 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). All rights reserved. Stroud is incredible. The Ohio State wideout had seen only a few downs of action in 2022. Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. - 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. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State) . The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer, in his latest mock draft,has Smith-Njigba going to the Chargers with the No. "I'm ready to go out and attack and show my skill set," Smith-Njigba said Friday. In his junior season, Smith-Njigba led the Dallas region with 97 catches for 1,828 yards and 20 touchdowns. As a blocker, Smith-Njigba is an energetic and high-effort player. 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. Stats. 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. He also lacks breakaway long speed and can be run down in open field by plus athletes. Smith-Njigba has visible lateral twitch, and he brings good energy with his movement. Jan 9, 2023. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 6:39AM. He will be an immediate asset to the run game. . He quickly chops his feet and decelerates heading into route stems. Over the final five games of the 2021 season, the Texas native accumulated 60 receptions for 958 yards and six touchdowns. Those are two of the most important jobs for a wide receiver. Any team investing possible 1st round capital in him knows who they are getting. All Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Let's take a closer look at JSN's draft profile, and whether the Bears should be interested in his services. "I was 100 percent as of two weeks ago. Statistics. Lets find out. Smith-Njigba was the leading receiver on a team that featured last year's NFL rookie . 5 Jalin Hyatt - Tennessee. It should also be noted that the Buckeyes were without a whopping 24 players against Utah for various reasons, which makes their performance even more impressive. "I just think my playmaking ability is second to none in this draft," he said. The Ohio State WR sometimes needs room to quicken his feet and build up speed in short spaces. 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 catching 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore in 2021, Smith-Njigba . 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. 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. . 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. But Kiper shifted gears for his second mock, predicting New England to draft Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. I just don't really care about his 40 time. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. He holds the FBS Bowl Game and Ohio State single game record for most receiving yards with 347 in the 2022 Rose Bowl. Here's a look at Jaxon Smith-Njigba. ", 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. 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. 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. "The Patriots have a new offensive coordinator in Bill O'Brien and could . Smith-Njigba has done it twice this season. 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. With lacking elite explosiveness and burst, Smith-Njigba isnt going to offer a consistent dynamic element downfield. He earned rave reviews from a number of media outlets. But at the very least, he passes the desired threshold for an NFL starter. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Former OSU teammate Garrett Wilson the No. Smith-Njigba has 326 yards receiving, which is the most in any bowl game in college football history. NFL teams really only have his 2021 stats (95 . Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays wide receiver for Ohio State in college football. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Do you have a sports website? Going further, Smith-Njigba appears to lack quantifiably elite explosive burst. He can create in minimal space with the best of them. Time will tell where he gets drafted, but he's currently one of the more intriguing prospects at wide receiver in the upcoming draft. Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Like other Ohio State WRs before him, Smith-Njigba isnt an overwhelming size threat. Hes more quick than fast. He had six drops in his 2021 campaign. 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. [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]. Debating NFL draft questions, risers: Concern for Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Kayshon Boutte? Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. He also sometimes lacks the strength to maintain key blocks on the outside. 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. 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 . His size and strong lower body make him a tricky task for corners once the ball is in his hands. The Buckeyes star is surprisingly comfortable going low for passes, and he maintains his focus even as his balance is compromised. Can he make the most of it and command first-round capital like they did? They won that game 64-6. The Case for Anthony Richardson To Be the No. 1 Pick, The Case for Bryce Young To Be the 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.