Jaxon Smith-Njigba
WR
Ohio State

HT:
6000
WT:
198
YR:
JR
NO:
11
OVR RK
OVR RK
17
POS RK
3
CEILING POTENTIAL
(Instant Impact Potential)
PLAYSTYLE AND SCHEME FIT
Pro Spread/Slot
PASS GAME ANALYSIS
Njigba is not the flashiest receiver; he is a good route runner with excellent hands. He is also fearless and willing to pick up the tough yards over the middle—Smith-Njigba projects as a slot receiver at the next level. At 6-0, 198 lbs, he is a gritty player who can make defenders miss in space like a running back after the catch. He can stop on a dime and displays good lateral movement and loose hips. He attacks the catch point and can muscle the ball away from defenders in traffic.
RUN GAME ANALYSIS
In the run game, Ohio State expects the receivers to be solid blockers in space. Smith-Njigba is yet another Buckeye receiver who is just as enthusiastic when blocking or running a defender away from the play as he is running a passing route.
FINAL REPORT
Smith-Njigba waited his turn at Ohio State, and when it was his time to shine, he stepped up in a big way a season ago. In the 2022 Rose Bowl game, Smith-Njigba became the Buckeye's number one receiver after Chris Olave, and Garrett Wilson opted out. Without Olave and Wilson, Smith-Njigba lit up the Utah Secondary for 15 catches, 347 yards receiving, hitting pay dirt three times. No wide receiver has more yards in a Rose Bowl game or any single bowl game than Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Surprisingly, Smith-Njigba led all Buckeye receivers in 2021 with 1606 yds receiving.
Primary scout:
Brandon Lundberg
KEY STRENGTHS
Pos. Strength
Route Running
After The Catch
KEY WEAKNESSES
Positional Versatility
Size
Acceleration
PLAYER COMPARISONS
Hines Ward
Robert Woods
Anthony Miller
Grade Scale
(Instant Impact Potential)
High-End Starter
(High Upside Potential)
Solid Starter Level
(Developmental Potential)
Low-Level Starter
(Role Player Potential)
Situational Starter/System Dependent/Role Player
High-Level Backup/Developmental Starter Traits
Career Backup Level
(Practice Squad Potential)
Depth Player
Priority Free Agent