But as a 2023 NFL Draft prospect, is Smith-Njigbas scouting report stronger than his predecessors? Furthermore, he shows off exceptional reaction quickness and makes high-difficulty adjustments with very little response time. Smith-Njigba was born and raised in Rockwall, Texas, and graduated from Rockwall High School. 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. Jaxon Smith-Njigba believes Ohio State would have won the national championship had he been healthy all of last season. The Ohio State wideout had seen only a few downs of action in 2022. 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. Here's a look at Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Elsewhere, Smith-Njigba is prone to occasional focus drops, often when he has to extend beyond his frame for passes. He has had an issue hanging onto the ball at times. 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. 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 hamstring injury limited him to three games in 2022, though. He flashes the ability to stack corners on verticals from the slot easily. Smith-Njigba struggles with injury after first catch, These five players highlight 2023 NFL mock draft. Smith-Njigba was the leading receiver on a team that featured last year's NFL rookie . The silver lining is that the Ohio State WR flashes great explosive capacity. "The Patriots have a new offensive coordinator in Bill O'Brien and could . 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. There is no doubt C.J. The Ohio State WR also has great stop-and-start ability and can break at impressive angles with his loose hips. "I just think . pic.twitter.com/jtvAYPnKH5. Index Of This Post [ show] . 5 Jalin Hyatt - Tennessee. 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. 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.". 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. 22 overall pick. Smith-Njigbas snap at the top of his stem is excellent, which allows him to create easy separation. As it turns out, all the Buckeyes needed was Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He quickly chops his feet and decelerates heading into route stems. (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. The 2021 season showed what he could do, however, as he totaled 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. 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. Smith-Njigba caught 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. Smith-Njigba is already a proficient separator, but he doesnt rely on separation to win. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Hes able to secure catches with defenders in his wheelhouse, and hes comfortable with very little space. - 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. Smith-Njigba proceeded to shatter the school's record for most receiving yards in a game, previously held by Terry Glenn with 253 yards. Buckeyes' Smith-Njigba, Williams back vs. Iowa, Ohio State rules out Smith-Njigba, Williams. The Player the Ravens Should Be Watching at the . Jersey Pos #11 WR . Stroud To Be the No. "I see myself as a top-five player, not just a receiver. 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. [1] 19-20 Varsity Football. College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. 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. 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. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. But Kiper shifted gears for his second mock, predicting New England to draft Ohio State receiver 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.". I don't think he'll be limited to just a slot receiver in the NFL. And Smith-Njigba holds up his end there as well. XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? 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. Tracks the deep ball over either shoulder and brings in passes fluidly without breaking stride downfield. He believes that if he had, confetti could have rained down on the scarlet and gray. Time will tell where he gets drafted, but he's currently one of the more intriguing prospects at wide receiver in the upcoming draft. The Ohio State WR has great zone and blind-spot awareness, and he can exploit spaces quickly. 3 Jordan Addison - USC. You don't currently have any notifications. 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. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Often used on deep routes, getting separation down the sideline or over the middle on crossing routes by extending his arms rather than pure speed. 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. Every dynasty GM knows there is no offseason. Canaan Elijah Smith-Njigba (born April 30, 1999) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). 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 feels 100% after injury-marred '22, Kiper's updated NFL mock draft: Who's moving up for a QB? Still, he had earned more . Smith-Njigba flashes the capacity for great explosion, especially when hes on the attack either surging into space or pursuing blockers. 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. In his junior season, Smith-Njigba led the Dallas region with 97 catches for 1,828 yards and 20 touchdowns. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Smith-Njigba as the No. They were saying the Giants needed OL, edge and CB first. Rising didn't begin the 2021 campaign as Utah's starting quarterback but earned the position after taking over for Charlie Brewer in an overtime loss to San Diego State on Sept. 18 and led the Utes to a Pac-12 championship. The Ohio State WR trio of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will go down in the college football history books. 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. [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. Hes more quick than fast. . . . Speaking of which, he's a YAC machine. He had six drops in his 2021 campaign. As a freshman, Smith-Njigba was a depth piece who would get a few snaps a game. Any team investing high draft capital in him knows what they are getting: a high-volume wide receiver that can work both inside and on the perimeter. Smith-Njigba entered Ohio State in 2020 with a ton of pedigree. One of his most impressive plays of the evening was breaking a tackle and rushing for a 62-yard score. This is me Follow. 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 was replaced by freshman quarterback Bryson Barnes. Find out more. He understands leverage and can effectively direct DBs away from runners. Those are two of the most important jobs for a wide receiver. 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 has visible lateral twitch, and he brings good energy with his movement. People will knock him for his long speed BUT thats not how he wins. The Buckeyes entered with a chip on their shoulder after missing out on the College Football Playoff for the first time in three years. Check out Jaxon Smith-Njigba's College Gamelog and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com . All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. - His route running is superior to most wideouts in this draft class. [16] Smith-Njigba's older brother, Canaan Smith-Njigba, plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB).[17]. / 2023 2024 BYE WEEK. 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. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. For comparison, he entered with just five catches for 68 yards on the season. His route running is superior to most wideouts in this draft class. height 6' 0" college Ohio State drafted . 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. The Buckeyes are winning 45-38 thanks to the 85-yard drive capped by Smith-Njigba. MORE:Tracking the fastest 40 times from the 2023 NFL Combine, "My playmaking ability is second to none," Smith-Njigba said. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Has the strong hands any NFL wide receiver coach and quarterback would covet. 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 The Case for Anthony Richardson To Be the No. Amateur career [ edit] Smith-Njigba attended Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Texas, where he played baseball. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State) . Smith -Njigba played minimally with Bears . 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. Good effort and technique as a blocker for his size. Plays Football. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. 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. 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. Below Ill take a closer look at Jaxon Smith-Njigba. 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. He can contort in stride and corral tough passes with ease. The NFL offseason is here (silently chuckles on the inside). 3, behind Quentin Johnston (TCU) and Jordan Addison (USC). It was also the Buckeyes' first game against the Utes since 1986. Stroud throw for 573. Smith-Njigba has 326 yards receiving, which is the most in any bowl game in college football history. 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. Music Outro: Eminem - Lose YourselfSecond Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8n8qjtOWK1j3tFiZAeeZ4QInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/justin_stewar. 11 Utah Utes 48-45 in Saturday's Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, to finish the 2021 season with an 11-2 record. Another component that helps Smith-Njigba, however, is his agility and ease of motion. Jaxon is as good as Ive ever seen, probably the best Ive ever seen. Also called him, "the most natural athlete Ive ever seen. 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. 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. You throw me the ball seven to nine times, I can win you the game.". Draft analyst Todd McShay reported in December that Smith-Njigba was healthy enough to play in the College Football Playoffs, but chose not to. 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. He has a very reasonable path to success at the next level, but his lack of elite burst and speed are notable concerns. Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba to miss Peach Bowl, enter 2023 NFL Draft Smith-Njigba had five receptions for 43 yards this season. A text message to Smith-Njigba has not been returned yet. 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. 1 site covering the team! 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. However, he began to heat up again as the half went on. The sophomore quarterback completed 17 of 22 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to rushing for 92 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries. But at 6-1 and 200 pounds, running in the upper 4.4s, he is hardly just a slot guy. Smith-Njigba, who is listed at 6-foot, 240 pounds, is considered the Pirates' 27th-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline. - Speaking of which, he's a YAC machine. He can also pinch tight angles around defensive backs while accelerating, showing off valuable ankle flexion. He also set an Ohio State and FBS. Smith-Njigba dominated during his high school career and had over 5,300 receiving yards and 63 receiving touchdowns, with little of that production coming in his freshmen season. I think he'll grow into a versatile all-around threat. Finally, Smith-Njigba has shown he can sneak through arm tackles in open space with his slippery running ability and active feet. Hes a route tactician with the route-running chops of an NFL veteran. Has good body strength to squirm out of tackles with the coordination to maneuver his frame between defenders. 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. Any team investing possible 1st round capital in him knows who they are getting. He has very fluid hips. Going further, Smith-Njigba has enough explosiveness to get out into space and escape congestion after taking short passes. 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 . "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? ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Addison is 6-0 175, Hyatt is 6-0 180. Smith-Njigba grew up in Rockwall, Texas, and attended Rockwall High School. He also has enough speed to extend RAC opportunities and reach the corner on drags and digs. 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. He uses violent targeted swats to combat jams and swipes down arms at the catch point. 2 Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Ohio State. 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. With those hips, he can expertly manipulate short ranges, as well as use abrupt lateral movements to disrupt tackling angles. He only played three games in 2022 due to a lingering. Smith-Njigbas movement style helps compound his separation ability, but hes already very proficient at using his traits effectively. You can check them all out in our 2023 dynasty draft kit. Runs elite crisp routes with sharp cuts. All Rights Reserved. Resting on the podium overlooking a gaggle of reporters, Jaxon Smith-Njigba looked a composed figure. As a blocker, Smith-Njigba is an energetic and high-effort player. After catching 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore in 2021, Smith-Njigba . Smith-Njigba is now the Ohio State record holder for the most receiving yards in a game.

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