But Kiper shifted gears for his second mock, predicting New England to draft Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. I'm taking things slowly to close the book on this nagging injury, which I feel like I have. C.J. Jaxon Smith-Njigba Height, Weight and Hand Size The duo didnt work together beyond one season, but it still matters. Resting on the podium overlooking a gaggle of reporters, Jaxon Smith-Njigba looked a composed figure. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Smith-Njigba finished the game with a mind-boggling 15 catches, 347 yards and three touchdowns as Ohio State scored a dramatic 48-45 victory over the Utes. Can the Lions fix their defense? [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]. But at the very least, he passes the desired threshold for an NFL starter. 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. What makes Smith-Njigbas game particularly appealing is that his mode of success is very translatable to the next level. His size and strong lower body make him a tricky task for corners once the ball is in his hands. - He tracks the ball well on long throws and is capable of being a deep threat. 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. The Case for Anthony Richardson To Be the No. See our list of forfeits and vacated games for more details. 1 Pick, The Case for C.J. Hes tough in the middle of the defense and has proven he can make catches in congestion. He hit .258 with .760 OPS last season, missing almost six weeks with a right thigh injury. He finished the 2021 season with 95 receptions for 1,595. The Player the Ravens Should Be Watching at the . - 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. The Ohio State WR has great zone and blind-spot awareness, and he can exploit spaces quickly. Smith-Njigba entered Ohio State in 2020 with a ton of pedigree. As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 scores. 1 Quentin Johnston - TCU. 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. Like other Ohio State WRs before him, Smith-Njigba isnt an overwhelming size threat. The Ohio State WR is a natural hands catcher, with incredibly smooth body control in the open field when adjusting for throws. Over the final five games of the 2021 season, the Texas native accumulated 60 receptions for 958 yards and six touchdowns. Additionally, the Ohio State WR consistently finishes forward on RAC plays and actively uses stiff arms to delay and disrupt tackle attempts. The NFL offseason is here (silently chuckles on the inside). 6 Ohio State still trails, 38-31 with the 4th quarter underway. e's a Grade A slot receiver. Who are the top WR's in the 2023 NFL draft? And already, he looks like a man amongst boys. As a blocker, Smith-Njigba is an energetic and high-effort player. Still, a first-round selection is a pretty good consolation prize. (31%*), 30 2/8 He has 15 receptions for 92 receiving yards and a score. 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. 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. Buckeyes' Smith-Njigba, Williams back vs. Iowa, Ohio State rules out Smith-Njigba, Williams. Still, he had earned more than a few admirers, interviewer after interviewer peppering him with questions. - Speaking of which, he's a YAC machine. Debating NFL draft questions, risers: Concern for Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Kayshon Boutte? We present them here for purely educational purposes. In his final two seasons . Some projections have him falling into the second round, but he could still be a Round 1 selection. He. However, he needs more press experience on the boundary to prove it. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Career; Var 19-20; Var 18-19; Var 17-18; Var 16-17; Career Stats. Addison is 6-0 175, Hyatt is 6-0 180. He holds the FBS Bowl Game and Ohio State single game record for most receiving yards with 347 in the 2022 Rose Bowl. 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. 1 Pick, The Case for Bryce Young To Be the No. The next great one Omg @jaxon_smith1 stop it # . 2 wideout in the class, behind Zay Flowers (Boston College), while Todd McShay has him at No. Are you looking to contact Customer Support about a subscription or account related question? 11 Utah Utes 48-45 in Saturday's Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, to finish the 2021 season with an 11-2 record. 19-20 Varsity Football. A former five-star recruit, Smith-Njigba has dominated everywhere hes been. - He already has a rapport with Fields. 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 . 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. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. Entering Saturday's game, Rising had completed 62.8 percent of his passes for 2,279 yards and 18 touchdowns against five interceptions, in addition to rushing for 407 yards and five scores. This is me Follow. He was a five-star recruit from Rockwall (Texas) High School. 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. And looking at his evaluation, that early-round billing is warranted. While hes not an elite explosive threat, Smith-Njigbas cylindrical twitch is high-level, and he uses that trait to get DBs off-balance. [5][6] Smith-Njigba finished his high school career with 5,346 career receiving yards and 82 touchdowns in 44 games played. The Buckeyes star is surprisingly comfortable going low for passes, and he maintains his focus even as his balance is compromised. 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. Current draft projection for Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. 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. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State) . For comparison, he entered with just five catches for 68 yards on the season. That's a ringing endorsement from a future contemporary. - Hes difficult to bring down. 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. Rising didn't have a performance quite like Stroud's, but he's still worth talking about. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Stroud. Ohio State has a type at wide receiver. It did not take long for Smith-Njigba to support those remarks. "I just think . "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? Smith-Njigba finished with 15 catches for 346 yards and three touchdowns. MORE:Follow live updates, highlights from NFL Combine workouts. Receiving. 2022; 2021; 2020; Career; Splits. C.J. Canaan Elijah Smith-Njigba (born April 30, 1999) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). January 21, 2023 11:30 pm ET. He tracks the ball well on long throws and is capable of being a deep threat. 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. 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. STROUD 50-YARD TD TO JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA . In 44 high school games, Smith-Njigba racked up 5,346 receiving yards and 82 touchdowns. NFL teams really only have his 2021 stats (95 . Another component that helps Smith-Njigba, however, is his agility and ease of motion. The Buckeyes entered with a chip on their shoulder after missing out on the College Football Playoff for the first time in three years. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. More Jaxon Smith-Njigba Pages. Check out Jaxon Smith-Njigba's College Gamelog and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com . The Ohio State WR has near-elite stopping ability. ANY GAME! 2 Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Ohio State. Smith-Njigba proceeded to shatter the school's record for most receiving yards in a game, previously held by Terry Glenn with 253 yards. height 6' 0" college Ohio State drafted . Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays wide receiver for Ohio State in college football. Coming to the team, it was assumed he would have to wait his time sitting behind a loaded receiving core for the Buckeyes. by Matthew Jones. Smith-Njigba's performance helped C.J. Fellow Buckeye Jaxon Smith-Njigba most likely won't be a top five pick but he believes he's that type of talent. The sophomore was a supernova against the Utah secondary, hauling in 15 catches for 347 yards and three touchdowns. David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. - He's a Grade A slot receiver. [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. 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). Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. But I just haven't had enough reps on the 40 yet, so pro day you'll see me run.". Stats. [1] 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. 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. [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 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. Being able to create and react to the defender is the strong point in my game, and taking advantage of that. 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. Smith-Njigba and Addison finished third and fourth in receiving yards in 2021, respectively, first and second among Power Five players, and JSN's Rose Bowl performance put him over the top. He made his MLB debut in 2022. He can create in minimal space with the best of them. Game Logs. Those things translate. I think the best way to describe Jaxon Smith-Njigba is that hes a quarterbacks Phone-a-Friend pic.twitter.com/ZykxbLB2bG. Heres a look at what Smith-Njigba has to offer and where he stands in a crowded 2023 NFL Draft wide receiver class. MORE:Tracking the fastest 40 times from the 2023 NFL Combine, "My playmaking ability is second to none," Smith-Njigba said. Below Ill take a closer look at Jaxon Smith-Njigba. 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). Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays against Michigan State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. 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? Stroud has a message for those who question whether Fields can excel as a passer and not just a runner. Index Of This Post [ show] Stroud, QB, OSU: 37/46 for 572 YDS, 6 TD, 1 INT and 1 CAR for 10 YDS, Cameron Rising, QB, UTAH: 17/22 for 214 YDS, 2 TD and 11 CAR for 92 YDS, 1 TD, Bryson Barnes, QB, UTAH: 2/2 for 23 YDS, 1 TD and 1 CAR for 10 YDS, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, OSU: 15 REC for 346 YDS, 3 TD, Britain Covey, WR, UTAH: 3 REC for 34 YDS, 1 TD and 2 CAR for 10 YDS and 7 KR for 208 YDS, 1 TD, Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, OSU: 6 REC for 71 YDS, 3 TD, Buckeyes Have Bright Future with C.J. "The Patriots have a new offensive coordinator in Bill O'Brien and could . 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. Smith-Njigba can manipulate and change his route path in tight spaces while keeping his speed. Smith-Njigba caught 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021. Additionally, he primarily operated out of the slot in 2021 and frequently had free releases. 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. Some of Smith-Njigbas traits suggest that he can translate well against press coverage. 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. A text message to Smith-Njigba has not been returned yet. Those results won't be made public. - He has had an issue hanging onto the ball at times. 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.". Furthermore, he shows off exceptional reaction quickness and makes high-difficulty adjustments with very little response time. 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. Statistics. He set a Big Ten single-season record with 1,606 . historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). Smith-Njigba grew up in Rockwall, Texas, and attended Rockwall High School. 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. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine 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. Standing at 60, 198 pounds, Smith-Njigba fits the Ohio State mold thats been reinforced in previous cycles. College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. Jaxon Smith-njigba Stats, News, Fantasy Football Rankings Jaxon Smith-Njigba Wide Receiver Number # AGE 21 weight 198 lbs. Former OSU teammate Garrett Wilson the No. Rockwall High School Rockwall TX. On the topic of Ohio State, Smith-Njigba expressed regret that he wasn't able to play more. NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? Elsewhere, Smith-Njigba is prone to occasional focus drops, often when he has to extend beyond his frame for passes. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Smith-Njigba as the No. Here's a look at Jaxon Smith-Njigba. NBA Stats. Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba is seen as one of the top wide receiver prospects ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. Has enough straight-line speed and takes advantage of open seams when his quarterback is on target. He also uses route angles and sudden movements at stems to generate displacement. One of his most impressive plays of the evening was breaking a tackle and rushing for a 62-yard score. Stroud throw for 573. Jaxon Smith-Njigba believes Ohio State would have won the national championship had he been healthy all of last season. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 6:39AM. Rising and the Utes put together five consecutive scoring drives before ending the first half with a punt. 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. Plays Football. "I'm ready to go out and attack and show my skill set," Smith-Njigba said Friday. "From playing basketball [as a kid], I feel like my creativity is what sets me apart also. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. 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. Those are two of the most important jobs for a wide receiver. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN 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. There is no doubt C.J. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Stats: 2021 (251 FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets) Yards per route run: 1st; PFF receiving grade: 1st; Career Breakout age: 75th percentile (19.6) Smith-Njigba famously capped his season in style, putting up a Rose Bowl-record 347 receiving yards in the Buckeyes' demolition of USC. 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. Hes a route tactician with the route-running chops of an NFL veteran. 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 . 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. Does a nice job locating and tracking deep passes and is a legitimate vertical threat. He also sometimes lacks the strength to maintain key blocks on the outside. 3, behind Quentin Johnston (TCU) and Jordan Addison (USC). Still, he had earned more . UTAH HITS THE END ZONE FIRST IN THE . His receiving yard total is a new.
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