In 2020, one of Ohio State's top recruits got enough playing time to give the team a glimpse of the future. Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba didn't play much he caught just 10 pa ses for 49 yards and a touchdown but it was clear by how he looked on the field that he was ready for a bigger role in the offense.He got that chance in 2021. While future first-round NFL Draft picks Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave got attention from opposing defenses week after week, Smith-Njigba quietly had one of the best seasons ever by an Ohio State wide receiver, culminating in his performance in the Rose Bowl with Wilson and Olave sitting out.MORE:Defenses won't be overlooking Smith-Njigba in 2022. The junior has developed a deep chemistry with quarterback C.J. Stroud and both enter the season as Heisman Trophy hopefuls as they lead what .While everyone in Columbus knows Smith-Njigba, the national audience might not be as familiar with him. As No. 2 Ohio State prepares for its season-opening clash with No. 5 Notre Dame, The Sporting News has everything you need to know about the Buckeyes star
Denver Nuggets Jeresy .
R.J. Hampton Jersey Smith-Njigba came into the 2021 season as the No. 3 receiver on a loaded depth chart behind Wilson and Olave. By all accounts, he had the best season.The sophomore led the Buckeyes with 1,606 yards on 95 receptions, both program records. His receiving yards also set a Big Ten record. Though Olave (13) and Wilson (12) both had more receiving touchdowns than Smith-Njigba's nine, neither were close in yardage or receptions; Wilson's came the closest with 1,058 yards on 70 receptions.MORE:The connection between Smith-Njigba and Stroud was at its peak down the stretch. In the Buckeyes' final five games, Smith-Njigba had 958 yards on 60 catches, averaging 191.6 yards per game.Smith-Njigba capped his season with a historic game at the Rose Bowl. He set records with 347 receiving yards, 15 receptions and three touchdowns. The receiving yards were a record for bowl game and the fifth-highest single-game total in Division I history.FANTASY SOURCE: And Smith-Njigba was the best wide receiver based on more than just the traditional counting stats. His was the best in the nation among qualifying receivers. He had the most yards per route run (4.01), second-most yards after the catch (790) and second-best contested catch rate (90 percent), trailing only a qualifying receiver that made one contested catch in one attempt. Seeing Smith-Njigba explode on the national scene was not a surprise. He arrived at Ohio State having already received plenty of acclaim.The of the 2020 recruiting
Denver Nuggets Hoodie cla s listed him as the No. 29 national recruit, the No. 5 wide receiver and the No. 5 prospect in the state of Texas. He was a consensus five-star recruit.This was Gabe Brooks' evaluation of Smith-Njigba:Owns above average size with a solid build. Technically sound receiver with good size and ma sive production against strong competition in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex playing against teams in the largest cla sification in Texas (Cla s 6A). Adjusts impre sively to the ball in flight. Shows encouraging hands-catching consistency. Fairly quick off the line and effectively subtle in downfield routes. Often gets defender leaning and sells the DB one way to get separation. Po se ses adequate top-end speed verified in a combine environment. Flashes impre sive lateral mobility that manifests in his ability to get yards after the catch in the short and intermediate levels, as well as the screen game. Can line up in multiple spots in the formation. Drives on routes to leverage defenders into bad spots. May test
Alex English Jersey a bit faster than he plays at this stage in his development. Noticeably improved quick-twitch explosivene s, particularly in close quarters, over course of high school career. More of a speed-builder than a burster in straight-line situations, which could affect separating ability against college DB's. High-production receiver with great consistency and a likely high floor and potential to develop into NFL Draft prospect. Smith-Njigba is considered one of, if not the top, wide receiver prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft cla s. as the No. 5 prospect overall on his big board in May, while him to be drafted fifth overall by the Jaguars and being the first receiver off the board.Here's where other mock drafts have Smith-Njigba being drafted: has projected Smith-Njigba to go seventh overall to the Panthers. has projected Smith-Njigba to go eighth overall to the Giants. has projected Smith-Njigba to go 12th overall to the Patriots. has projected Smith-Njigba to go seventh overall to the Jets. has projected Smith-Njigba to go fourth overall to the Bears. Next year, barring anything wildly unexpected, Smith-Njigba will join the pro ranks in the NFL. He will be thesecond Smith-Njigba to play
Bol Bol Jersey profe sional sports. The first did not play football, however.His older brother, Canaan Smith-Njigba, was drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Yankees. In 2019, he was traded to the Pirates in a deal that sent Jameson Taillon to the Bronx. Canaan Smith-Njigba continued his quick rise through the minors, playing in both Double-A and Triple-A in 2021 as a 22-year-old, posting a .760 OPS with six home runs and 13 stolen bases.He began the 2022 campaign at Triple-A, and after 52 games with a .795 OPS, a home run and eight steals, he was promoted to the big leagues. He recorded his first big-league hit a double on June 14, but then fractured his wrist and was placed on the 60-day injured list on June 17. Related Articles
%20TPCC2.jpg)
.png){kind=logo}