Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is an American football wide receiver for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He holds the record for most catches in a single game in school history with 15 and the record for the most receiving yards in a bowl game with 347 at the 2022 Rose Bowl.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Ohio State Buckeyes – No. 11
PositionWide receiver
ClassSophomore
MajorHealth Sciences
Personal information
Born: (2002-02-14) February 14, 2002
Rockwall, Texas
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight198 lb (90 kg)
Career history
College
Bowl games
High schoolRockwall
Career highlights and awards

Early life and high school

Smith-Njigba grew up in Rockwall, Texas, and attended Rockwall High School.[1] Smith-Njigba led all high school football players in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex with 97 receptions for 1,828 yards and 20 touchdowns in his junior season.[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.[3][4] Smith-Njigba played in the 2019 All-American Bowl and was named a high school All-American by Sports Illustrated and USA Today.[5][6] Smith-Njigba finished his high school career with 5,346 career receiving yards and 82 touchdowns in 44 games played.[7]

College career

2020

Smith-Njigba played in seven games as a freshman and led Ohio State's freshmen with 10 receptions for 49 yards and one touchdown.[8]

2021

He was named a starter at the slot receiver position for the Buckeyes going into his sophomore season.[9] On November 6, 2021, Smith-Njigba recorded 15 receptions (single game school record) for 240 yards (at the time the 2nd most receiving yards in a game in school history) and one touchdown in a 26-17 win against Nebraska.[10] Later that season, he set an FBS record and a single game school record with 347 receiving yards in Ohio State's win in the 2022 Rose Bowl. [11] He also recorded 15 receptions, tying his own record set against Nebraska.

Statistics
Ohio State Buckeyes
Season Receiving
Rec Yds Avg TD
2020 10 49 4.9 1
2021 95 1,606 16.9 9
Career 105 1,655 15.8 10

Personal life

Smith-Njigba is of half Sierra Leonean descent.[12] Smith-Njigba's older brother, Canaan Smith-Njigba, is an outfielder in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.[13]

References
  1. Landis, Bill (May 19, 2021). "'That's not humanly possible': The prolific high school career of Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba". The Athletic. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  2. "Why Rockwall WR, Ohio State pledge Jaxon Smith-Njigba's impressive showing at The Opening almost didn't". The Dallas Morning News. July 3, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  3. "Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Riley Dodge win 2019 Tom Landry Awards". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. December 10, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  4. "Rockwall wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba named Gatorade Texas football player of the year". The Dallas Morning News. December 6, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  5. Garcia, John (December 16, 2019). "Jaxon Smith-Njigba Named to SI All-American Team". SI.com. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  6. Ramos, Gus (October 18, 2019). "Ohio State commit Jaxon Smith-Njigba honored as a 2020 All-American". NBCSports.com. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  7. "Jaxon Smith-Njigba poised to become Ohio State's next star at receiver". The Columbus Dispatch. September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  8. "Former Rockwall star Jaxon Smith-Njigba ready to take on larger role in Ohio State's offense". The Dallas Morning News. September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  9. Means, Stephen (September 1, 2021). "Is Jaxon Smith-Njigba headed for breakout game in Ohio State football's season opener against Minnesota? Outrageous Predictions". Cleveland.com. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  10. Myerberg, Paul (November 6, 2021). "Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's record-setting day sparks No. 5 Ohio State over Nebraska". USA Today. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  11. Landis, Bill (January 2, 2022). "Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba sets bowl record with 347 receiving yards vs. Utah in Rose Bowl win". The Athletic. Retrieved January 2, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. "Ohio State's Impactful Nigerian Connections, Relationship with Greg Mattison and Eye-Opening June Visit Were Driving Forces in Tunmise Adeleye's Recruitment". Eleven Warriors. April 25, 2020.
  13. Hoyt, Joseph (November 27, 2019). "Is Jaxon Smith-Njigba unguardable?". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
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