People will knock him for his long speed BUT thats not how he wins. Canaan Elijah Smith-Njigba (born April 30, 1999) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba said he met with the New England Patriots at the combine and also praised the franchise and Mac Jones. - Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. pic.twitter.com/jtvAYPnKH5. Plays Football. 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 . 6 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. UTAH HITS THE END ZONE FIRST IN THE . Theres the regular season, and then there is rookie fever season. He has 15 receptions for 92 receiving yards and a score. College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Smith-Njigba as the No. 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. 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 missed all but three games of the 2022 season because of a hamstring injury. The Buckeyes entered with a chip on their shoulder after missing out on the College Football Playoff for the first time in three years. - 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 struggles with injury after first catch, These five players highlight 2023 NFL mock draft. Smith-Njigba caught 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021. You throw me the ball seven to nine times, I can win you the game.". There's no other way to put it. Despite the disappointing end to Rising's night, the Utes still have a bright future with him at quarterback. After Ohio State was forced to punt on its first two drives of the game, Stroud orchestrated three consecutive touchdown drives before a fumble by Smith-Njigba close to the end zone in the second quarter. Hes able to secure catches with defenders in his wheelhouse, and hes comfortable with very little space. Emeka Egbuka, another freshman receiver, also had a nice outing with three catches for 46 yards. 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 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. He quickly chops his feet and decelerates heading into route stems. 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. He has good acceleration off the line and can use fast feet to gain speed as he heads upfield. He can contort in stride and corral tough passes with ease. 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 . 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. Smith -Njigba played minimally with Bears . . Are you looking to contact Customer Support about a subscription or account related question? Elsewhere, Smith-Njigba is prone to occasional focus drops, often when he has to extend beyond his frame for passes. The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer, in his latest mock draft,has Smith-Njigba going to the Chargers with the No. (31%*), 30 2/8 Smith-Njigba's performance helped C.J. As a result, many are interested to see how he tests at the Scouting Combine. He averaged 8.3 yards after the catch in 2021 and will likely continue that trend in the NFL. Smith-Njigba wont burn you in the open field with his raw speed, but that isnt necessary for him to succeed. GET BEARS NEWS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DAILY WITH OUR NEWSLETTER. Jan 9, 2023. Stats at ESPN.com. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. (19%*), 75 3/8 He can manipulate defensive backs and tempo routes to maximize space. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. As a freshman, Smith-Njigba was a depth piece who would get a few snaps a game. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. [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]. I think he'll grow into a versatile all-around threat. 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. Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba is seen as one of the top wide receiver prospects ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. Smith-Njigba is already a proficient separator, but he doesnt rely on separation to win. He has a very reasonable path to success at the next level, but his lack of elite burst and speed are notable concerns. MORE:Follow live updates, highlights from NFL Combine workouts. Garrett Wilson still maintains that Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a better receiver than him or Chris Olave. by Matthew Jones. January 21, 2023 11:30 pm ET. Also called him, "the most natural athlete Ive ever seen. Find out more. Going further, Smith-Njigba appears to lack quantifiably elite explosive burst. Stroud tossed an interception on the opening drive of the second half. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Music Outro: Eminem - Lose YourselfSecond Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8n8qjtOWK1j3tFiZAeeZ4QInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/justin_stewar. In addition to Stroud, Smith-Njigba, who had a record-setting night, and Marvin Harrison Jr. also had incredible evenings. . Check out Jaxon Smith-Njigba's College Gamelog and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com . 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. Can he make the most of it and command first-round capital like they did? Ultimately, however, he committed to Ohio State University. As a blocker, Smith-Njigba is an energetic and high-effort player. The silver lining is that the Ohio State WR flashes great explosive capacity. I'm taking things slowly to close the book on this nagging injury, which I feel like I have. Jaxon Smith-Njigba's NFL Combine profile. And judging by the way those around the league view the 21-year old, it seems Smith-Njigba will have every chance to prove his worth at the next level. Stats: 2021 (251 FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets) Yards per route run: 1st; PFF receiving grade: 1st; Career Breakout age: 75th percentile (19.6) Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. He made his MLB debut in 2022. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. "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? 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. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Could the Cowboys look at a running back in first round again? Another component that helps Smith-Njigba, however, is his agility and ease of motion. Seeing him against press coverage in 2021 will be key, but he projects well there. Terry Glenn previously held the record, having recorded 253 yards against Pitt in 1995. He also set an Ohio State and FBS. 2022; 2021; 2020; Career; Splits. 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. He can also pinch tight angles around defensive backs while accelerating, showing off valuable ankle flexion. Jaxon has played on 4 football teams covered by MaxPreps. hamstring injury limited him to three games in 2022, though. *, Copyright 2010- FantasyPros.com His height, weight, and length are all likely close to the median for wide receivers. Smith-Njigba entered Ohio State in 2020 with a ton of pedigree. Being able to create and react to the defender is the strong point in my game, and taking advantage of that. In 2021, he earned third-team All-America after snagging 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore. While Smith-Njigba is an exceptional player, there are some limitations and areas for improvement to make note of. 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. Copyright 2019-2023. Additionally, he primarily operated out of the slot in 2021 and frequently had free releases. Every dynasty GM knows there is no offseason. He was a 5-star recruit and the fifth WR in his class. [5][6] Smith-Njigba finished his high school career with 5,346 career receiving yards and 82 touchdowns in 44 games played. 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 youre like me and youve had a raging fever since Februarythe only prescription is my rookie primers. NBA Stats. 1 Pick, The Case for C.J. NFL teams really only have his 2021 stats (95 . Hes tough in the middle of the defense and has proven he can make catches in congestion. 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. In his final five games, he had 60 catches for 858 yards and six scores. However, theres talk that Smith-Njigba may be one of the best to come out yet. As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 scores. Standing at 60, 198 pounds, Smith-Njigba fits the Ohio State mold thats been reinforced in previous cycles. Smith-Njigba isnt necessarily a generational WR prospect, and other wideouts in the 2023 NFL Draft may have better athletic profiles. . 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. 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). 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. Ohio State has a type at wide receiver. 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. [14], Smith-Njigba is of half Sierra Leonean descent. He uses violent targeted swats to combat jams and swipes down arms at the catch point. Still, he had earned more than a few admirers, interviewer after interviewer peppering him with questions. For comparison, he entered with just five catches for 68 yards on the season. If the Bears have a chance to snag him, JSN feels like one of the few no-brainers of the draft. Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba to miss Peach Bowl, enter 2023 NFL Draft Smith-Njigba had five receptions for 43 yards this season. The Ohio State WR trio of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will go down in the college football history books. And now, with Wilson and Olave gone, the spotlight is on him alone. Jaxon Smith-Njigba's Football Stats. Smith-Njigba has 326 yards receiving, which is the most in any bowl game in college football history. The sophomore was a supernova against the Utah secondary, hauling in 15 catches for 347 yards and three touchdowns. Smith-Njigba could be an immediate target hog in the NFL. ", 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 finished with six catches for 71 yards and three touchdowns. 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. All Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Jaxon Smith-Njigba. And already, he looks like a man amongst boys. Jaxon Smith-Njigba believes Ohio State would have won the national championship had he been healthy all of last season. In addition, he led a scoring drive to tie the game at 38 before helping the Buckeyes take the lead with 4:22 remaining in the fourth quarter. 10 overall to the Jets) and Chris Olave (No. They were saying the Giants needed OL, edge and CB first. Even without elite explosiveness, hes still a very abrupt player whose natural suddenness provides ample value. He wont always win on explosiveness alone, and he doesnt cover a ton of ground off initial explosions out of cuts. I doubt it matters what anyone thinks of Smith-Njigba because he likely won't be available at 25. Some of Smith-Njigbas traits suggest that he can translate well against press coverage. 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 . Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN Lets find out. 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 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. 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. 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. As a matter of policy, Sports Reference only reports the results of games as played on the field. He has had an issue hanging onto the ball at times. One of his most impressive plays of the evening was breaking a tackle and rushing for a 62-yard score. He can create in minimal space with the best of them. Entering 2022, Smith-Njigba had been projected as one of the top wide receivers in the country. Can beat the press with elusiveness or physical contact. Smith-Njigba's central role in the offense was expected to be a major part of OSU's identity as a national championship contender. 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. As it turns out, all the Buckeyes needed was Jaxon Smith-Njigba. 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. The Ohio State WR sometimes needs room to quicken his feet and build up speed in short spaces. Time will tell where he gets drafted, but he's currently one of the more intriguing prospects at wide receiver in the upcoming draft. Debating NFL draft questions, risers: Concern for Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Kayshon Boutte? 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. If the picks line up, adding Smith-Njigba would be an easy decision for Chicago. 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 also uses route angles and sudden movements at stems to generate displacement. His receiving yard total is a new. [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.