"From playing basketball [as a kid], I feel like my creativity is what sets me apart also. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Jersey Pos #11 WR . And now, with Wilson and Olave gone, the spotlight is on him alone. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Both Olave and Wilson, who declared for the NFL draft, will be gone next season, which means players like Smith-Njigba, Harrison and Egbuka will be Stroud's primary receivers in 2022. TOP 2023 WRs. Resting on the podium overlooking a gaggle of reporters, Jaxon Smith-Njigba looked a composed figure. You can check them all out in our 2023 dynasty draft kit. 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. The Ohio State WR also has great stop-and-start ability and can break at impressive angles with his loose hips. He has very fluid hips. Canaan Elijah Smith-Njigba (born April 30, 1999) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). 6 Ohio State still trails, 38-31 with the 4th quarter underway. 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. Let's find out. Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays against Michigan State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is one of the smoothest route runners you'll . Who are the top WR's in the 2023 NFL draft? Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. 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. 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 . Speaking of which, he's a YAC machine. Index Of This Post [ show] He missed all but three games of the 2022 season because of a hamstring injury. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Smith-Njigba's performance helped C.J. He earned rave reviews from a number of media outlets. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. While both had their own unique nuances as individual prospects, they both won largely with their ability to separate and convert at the catch point. 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. He tossed a touchdown on his second drive of the third quarter before OSU tacked on a field goal to cut into Utah's lead, dicing the score to 38-31. Neither Wilson nor Olave was an overwhelming size threat. Heres a look at what Smith-Njigba has to offer and where he stands in a crowded 2023 NFL Draft wide receiver class. 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 can also pinch tight angles around defensive backs while accelerating, showing off valuable ankle flexion. 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. That may give some teams understandable pause. Jaxon is as good as Ive ever seen, probably the best Ive ever seen. He can create in minimal space with the best of them. Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba confident he is 'a top-five player' in 2023 NFL Draft: 'I can win you the game', Tracking the fastest 40 times from the 2023 NFL Combine, Follow live updates, highlights from NFL Combine workouts, Updated NFL Draft big board of top 125 players overall, position rankings. 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. . [13] In that game, he also recorded 15 receptions (tying his own record set in the aforementioned Nebraska game) and passed David Boston for the single season receiving yards record at Ohio State with 1,606. With his slightly lighter frame, hes not always going to withstand direct contact. For comparison, he entered with just five catches for 68 yards on the season. I see myself as a top-five player in this draft. 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. Can he make the most of it and command first-round capital like they did? *, Copyright 2010- FantasyPros.com Hes tough in the middle of the defense and has proven he can make catches in congestion. Stroud and Smith-Njigba are cooking . Has good body strength to squirm out of tackles with the coordination to maneuver his frame between defenders. Even without elite explosiveness, hes still a very abrupt player whose natural suddenness provides ample value. He wins with excellent, quick footwork at the line and in space. Stroud throw for 573. He averaged 8.3 yards after the catch in 2021 and will likely continue that trend in the NFL. He was a five-star recruit from Rockwall (Texas) High School. He flashes the ability to stack corners on verticals from the slot easily. 2 wideout in the class, behind Zay Flowers (Boston College), while Todd McShay has him at No. Entering 2022, Smith-Njigba had been projected as one of the top wide receivers in the country. Three trades in a chaotic top five, NFL draft questions, predictions for combine workouts: Potential risers, top QBs and burners to watch, Played college football at Cheyney University. That may give some teams understandable pause. Ohio State has a type at wide receiver. Yes, Smith-Njigba was a slot receiver in college, but that doesnt mean he doesnt have the intangibles to get loose on the boundary. [1] - He has had an issue hanging onto the ball at times. The Player the Ravens Should Be Watching at the . The sophomore was a supernova against the Utah secondary, hauling in 15 catches for 347 yards and three touchdowns. The NFL offseason is here (silently chuckles on the inside). His height, weight, and length are all likely close to the median for wide receivers. Smith-Njigba is now the Ohio State record holder for the most receiving yards in a game. Copyright 2019-2023. However, he needs more press experience on the boundary to prove it. Does a nice job locating and tracking deep passes and is a legitimate vertical threat. Jaxon Smith-Njigba Height, Weight and Hand Size For his size, Smith-Njigba is surprisingly physical. Do you have a sports website? As a blocker, Smith-Njigba is an energetic and high-effort player. He had six drops in his 2021 campaign. 1 Quentin Johnston - TCU. A native of Rockwall, TX, Smith-Njigba has impressive route-running, agility, and a knack for making plays with the ball in his hands. 2 Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Ohio State. 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. Smith -Njigba played minimally with Bears . Has enough straight-line speed and takes advantage of open seams when his quarterback is on target. Emeka Egbuka, another freshman receiver, also had a nice outing with three catches for 46 yards. Here's a look at Jaxon Smith-Njigba. 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. Smith-Njigba is already a proficient separator, but he doesnt rely on separation to win. Bunch. https://t.co/0WKdfgT6qO, Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) February 10, 2023, Player Comp: If Robert Woods and Keenan Allen had a baby, Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio, *All data utilized in this article is courtesy of PFF, Football Outsiders, and Playerprofiler.com unless otherwise specified. He quickly chops his feet and decelerates heading into route stems. Fellow Buckeye Jaxon Smith-Njigba most likely won't be a top five pick but he believes he's that type of talent. He set a Big Ten single-season record with 1,606 . . Rising didn't have a performance quite like Stroud's, but he's still worth talking about. Stroud dropped a dime to Marvin Harrison Jr. , C.J. In 2021, Smith-Njigba was the third receiver behind Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, but Smith-Njigba still managed to dominate the competition. 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. Every dynasty GM knows there is no offseason. Those results won't be made public. Over the final five games of the 2021 season, the Texas native accumulated 60 receptions for 958 yards and six touchdowns. Smith-Njigba's central role in the offense was expected to be a major part of OSU's identity as a national championship contender. He only played three games in 2022 due to a lingering. 2022; 2021; 2020; Career; Splits. Check out Jaxon Smith-Njigba's College Gamelog and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com . Seeing him against press coverage in 2021 will be key, but he projects well there. MORE:Tracking the fastest 40 times from the 2023 NFL Combine, "My playmaking ability is second to none," Smith-Njigba said. - 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. "I just think my playmaking ability is second to none in this draft," he said. The Buckeyes are winning 45-38 thanks to the 85-yard drive capped by Smith-Njigba. In 2021, he earned third-team All-America after snagging 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore. Has the strong hands any NFL wide receiver coach and quarterback would covet. College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. He tracks the ball well on long throws and is capable of being a deep threat. Smith-Njigba feels 100% after injury-marred '22, Kiper's updated NFL mock draft: Who's moving up for a QB? Not a VIP subscriber to the Bear Report? It was the most receiving yards by anyone in bowl history. He also holds Ohio State records . Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. Stroud is incredible. Smith-Njigba grew up in Rockwall, Texas, and attended Rockwall High School. Theres the regular season, and then there is rookie fever season. And when the ball comes his way, Smith-Njigba has rare instincts and excellent hands. . Graduated in 2020. Coming to the team, it was assumed he would have to wait his time sitting behind a loaded receiving core for the Buckeyes. 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. More Jaxon Smith-Njigba Pages. If youre like me and youve had a raging fever since Februarythe only prescription is my rookie primers. The silver lining is that the Ohio State WR flashes great explosive capacity. Smith-Njigba caught 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021. Being able to create and react to the defender is the strong point in my game, and taking advantage of that. 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. After catching 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore in 2021, Smith-Njigba . But I just haven't had enough reps on the 40 yet, so pro day you'll see me run.". I'm taking things slowly to close the book on this nagging injury, which I feel like I have. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 6:39AM. 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.". Smith-Njigba isnt necessarily a generational WR prospect, and other wideouts in the 2023 NFL Draft may have better athletic profiles. 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. . 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. 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. It's officially NFL draft season, so it's time to get to know the best players at every positions in the 2023 class. His route running is superior to most wideouts in this draft class. That's a ringing endorsement from a future contemporary. hamstring injury limited him to three games in 2022, though. Its important not to speak in absolutes, but another strong season would almost assuredly grant Smith-Njigba first-round capital. Menu Shop Menu Standings Menu Stats Menu Super Bowl Menu Teams Menu Tickets Menu More . [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. Jaxon Smith-Njigba believes Ohio State would have won the national championship had he been healthy all of last season. We'll see if this matters at all when it comes to his draft stock. The Ohio State WR has near-elite stopping ability. Stacked formations. If anything, Saturday's game showed us the Buckeyes are in good hands moving forward. Some projections have him falling into the second round, but he could still be a Round 1 selection. He has good acceleration off the line and can use fast feet to gain speed as he heads upfield. Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Stroud. Hes a guy that will do the laundry for you pic.twitter.com/oFeHCi8qPj. He. [2] As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 touchdowns and was named the recipient of both the Landry Award and the Texas Gatorade Football Player of the Year award. Every dynasty GM knows there is no offseason. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN I think the best way to describe Jaxon Smith-Njigba is that hes a quarterbacks Phone-a-Friend pic.twitter.com/ZykxbLB2bG. Going further, Smith-Njigba appears to lack quantifiably elite explosive burst. Stroud To Be the No. He also set an Ohio State and FBS. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Additionally, the Ohio State WR consistently finishes forward on RAC plays and actively uses stiff arms to delay and disrupt tackle attempts. 3 Jordan Addison - USC. His size and strong lower body make him a tricky task for corners once the ball is in his hands. Another component that helps Smith-Njigba, however, is his agility and ease of motion. 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. "I'm ready to go out and attack and show my skill set," Smith-Njigba said Friday. 5 Jalin Hyatt - Tennessee. Ultimately, however, he committed to Ohio State University. Current draft projection for Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba has visible lateral twitch, and he brings good energy with his movement. by Matthew Jones. Jaxon Smith-Njigba now has the most receiving yards (231) in , It's a new Buckeye record for Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

He has 288 Rec yds (and counting), the most in a game in program history, and he's closing in on the all-time Bowl Game record (308 by Jason Rivers in 2006).

No. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Willing to go up and attack the ball. 22 overall pick. Garrett Wilson in 2021 on Jaxon Smith-Njigba. As a matter of policy, Sports Reference only reports the results of games as played on the field. Despite the disappointing end to Rising's night, the Utes still have a bright future with him at quarterback. Hes a fairly easy accelerator who generates solid initial momentum and can freely throttle up and down. Debating NFL draft questions, risers: Concern for Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Kayshon Boutte? They were saying the Giants needed OL, edge and CB first. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. In his junior season, Smith-Njigba led the Dallas region with 97 catches for 1,828 yards and 20 touchdowns. 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. You throw me the ball seven to nine times, I can win you the game.". January 21, 2023 11:30 pm ET. Some school's results have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties. One of his most impressive plays of the evening was breaking a tackle and rushing for a 62-yard score. 10 overall to the Jets) and Chris Olave (No. 6'1" 190 lbs Senior. Buckeyes' Smith-Njigba, Williams back vs. Iowa, Ohio State rules out Smith-Njigba, Williams. MORE:Updated NFL Draft big board of top 125 players overall, position rankings. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Going further, Smith-Njigba has enough explosiveness to get out into space and escape congestion after taking short passes. He also uses route angles and sudden movements at stems to generate displacement. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. Additionally, he can violently plant and rotate around at stems with impressive quickness. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. Smith-Njigba struggles with injury after first catch (0:19) Jaxon Smith-Njigba takes a big hit on his first catch and doesn't come back in the game until late in the second quarter. However, theres talk that Smith-Njigba may be one of the best to come out yet. Smith-Njigba is a bit of an enigma athletically. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). INDIANAPOLIS -- Former Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba says he is fully healed from the hamstring injury that kept him out for most of last season, and he intends to participate in all drills at the NFL scouting combine except for the 40-yard dash. If the Bears have a chance to snag him, JSN feels like one of the few no-brainers of the draft. Music Outro: Eminem - Lose YourselfSecond Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8n8qjtOWK1j3tFiZAeeZ4QInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/justin_stewar. C.J. 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. The 2021 season showed what he could do, however, as he totaled 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. Are you looking to contact Customer Support about a subscription or account related question? ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Smith-Njigba as the No. Stroud completed 37 of 46 passes for 572 yards and six touchdowns against one interception. A former five-star recruit, Smith-Njigba has dominated everywhere hes been. Jaxon Smith-Njigba Breaks Rose Bowl Receiving Record as OSU Tops Utah in Thriller Erin Walsh January 1, 2022 AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill The No. We present them here for purely educational purposes. 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 tracks the ball well on long throws and is capable of being a deep threat. 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. 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 Still, he had earned more . 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. I just try to use all those qualities and get the job done. Smith-Njigba was born and raised in Rockwall, Texas, and graduated from Rockwall High School. NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? He was replaced by freshman quarterback Bryson Barnes. In his final two seasons . 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. , Most TD passes in single season by B1G QB, all-time:

50 - Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State (2018)
41 - C.J. Jaxon has played on 4 football teams covered by MaxPreps. STROUD 50-YARD TD TO JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA . Lets find out. The Ohio State WR has great zone and blind-spot awareness, and he can exploit spaces quickly. 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. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. NFL teams really only have his 2021 stats (95 . Resting on the podium overlooking a gaggle of reporters, Jaxon Smith-Njigba looked a composed figure. Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays wide receiver for Ohio State in college football. [14], Smith-Njigba is of half Sierra Leonean descent. Stats at ESPN.com. Those are two of the most important jobs for a wide receiver. Smith-Njigba (hamstring) said he's 100 percent healthy, according to ESPN's Turron Davenport. The last time Ohio State took the field, Ryan Day's squad was embarrassed in a 42-27 loss to Michigan. Hes more quick than fast. But at the very least, he passes the desired threshold for an NFL starter. The Buckeyes entered with a chip on their shoulder after missing out on the College Football Playoff for the first time in three years. . 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 With lacking elite explosiveness and burst, Smith-Njigba isnt going to offer a consistent dynamic element downfield. Rice is 6-0 200, Flowers is 5-9 180. Smith-Njigba wont burn you in the open field with his raw speed, but that isnt necessary for him to succeed. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. 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. In 44 high school games, Smith-Njigba racked up 5,346 receiving yards and 82 touchdowns. Draft analyst Todd McShay reported in December that Smith-Njigba was healthy enough to play in the College Football Playoffs, but chose not to. Rising and the Utes put together five consecutive scoring drives before ending the first half with a punt. As a freshman, Smith-Njigba was a depth piece who would get a few snaps a game. . 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. Jaxon Smith-njigba Stats, News, Fantasy Football Rankings Jaxon Smith-Njigba Wide Receiver Number # AGE 21 weight 198 lbs. - He's a Grade A slot receiver. While hes not an elite explosive threat, Smith-Njigbas cylindrical twitch is high-level, and he uses that trait to get DBs off-balance. It's impossible to predict where he could go in the upcoming draft, though. (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. He wont blow defenders out of their cleats, but he has the functional strength to hold running lanes or clear a path. Smith-Njigba caught 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. I just don't really care about his 40 time. Smith-Njigba is a possession slot receiver who lacks the shake to separate underneath and the speed to run past defenses. All Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Buckeyes star is surprisingly comfortable going low for passes, and he maintains his focus even as his balance is compromised. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Theres the regular season, and then there is rookie fever season. They won that game 64-6. 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). 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. Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. 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. 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. A hamstring injury limited him to three games in 2022, though. A new home for Michael Thomas? 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.

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