Jaxon Smith-Njigba
{{Short description|American football player (born 2002)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Jaxon Smith-Njigba
| image = Jaxon Smith-Njigba FanDuel Interview (cropped).png
| alt =
| caption = Smith-Njigba in 2023
| current_team = Seattle Seahawks
| number = 11
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|2|14}}
| birth_place = Nacogdoches, Texas, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lbs = 197
| high_school = Rockwall (Rockwall, Texas)
| college = Ohio State (2020–2022)
| draftyear = 2023
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 20
| pastteams =
- Seattle Seahawks ({{NFL Year|2023}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
- Pro Bowl (2024)
- Third-team All-American (2021)
- Third-team All-Big Ten (2021)
| statweek = 18
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 163
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 1,758
| statlabel3 = Receiving average
| statvalue3 = 10.8
| statlabel4 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue4 = 10
}}
Jaxon Smith-Njigba ({{IPAc-en|ɪ|n|ˈ|dʒ|ɪ|g|b|ə}} {{respell|in|JIG|bə}}; born February 14, 2002) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he set school records for most catches in a single game with 15 (twice) and most receiving yards in a single season with 1,606 in 2021. Smith-Njigba was selected 20th overall by the Seahawks in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. He played in all 17 games in his rookie season and became a starter in week three due to an injury suffered by DK Metcalf. He started 16 of 17 games in his second season, amassing 1130 receiving yards and tying a team record with 100 receptions.
Early life
Smith- Njigba was born on February 14, 2002, in Nacogdoches, Texas.{{Cite web |last=Brugler |first=Dane |title=The Beast: 2023 NFL Draft Guide |url=https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2023/04/10111751/TheBeast_NFL_Draft_Guide-1.pdf |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 10, 2022 |website=The Athletic |pages=49}} He grew up in Rockwall, Texas, and attended Rockwall High School.{{Cite web |last=Landis |first=Bill |date=May 19, 2021 |title='That's not humanly possible': The prolific high school career of Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba |url=https://theathletic.com/2582742/2021/05/19/thats-not-humanly-possible-the-prolific-high-school-career-of-ohio-states-jaxon-smith-njigba/ |access-date=September 16, 2021 |website=The Athletic}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Hoyt |first=Joseph |date=July 3, 2019 |title=Why Rockwall WR, Ohio State pledge Jaxon Smith-Njigba's impressive showing at The Opening almost didn't |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/high-school-sports/2019/07/03/why-rockwall-wr-ohio-state-pledge-jaxon-smith-njigba-s-impressive-showing-at-the-opening-almost-didn-t-happen/ |access-date=September 16, 2021 |website=The Dallas Morning News}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Gosset |first=Brian |date=December 10, 2019 |title=Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Riley Dodge win 2019 Tom Landry Awards |url=https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/dfwvarsity/prep-football/article238217074.html |access-date=September 16, 2021 |website=Fort Worth Star-Telegram}}{{Cite web |last=Gladstone |first=Mitchell |date=December 6, 2019 |title=Rockwall wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba named Gatorade Texas football player of the year |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/high-school-sports/football/2019/12/06/rockwall-wide-receiver-jaxon-smith-njigba-named-gatorade-texas-football-player-of-the-year/ |access-date=September 16, 2021 |website=The Dallas Morning News}} Smith-Njigba played in the 2019 All-American Bowl and was named a high school All-American by Sports Illustrated and USA Today.{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=John |date=December 16, 2019 |title=Jaxon Smith-Njigba Named to SI All-American Team |url=https://www.si.com/college/recruiting/football/jaxon-smith-si-all-american |access-date=September 16, 2021 |website=SI.com}}{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Gus |date=October 18, 2019 |title=Ohio State commit Jaxon Smith-Njigba honored as a 2020 All-American |url=https://aab.nbcsports.com/2019/10/18/ohio-state-commit-jaxon-smith-njigba-honored-as-a-2020-all-american/ |access-date=September 16, 2021 |website=NBCSports.com}} Smith-Njigba finished his high school career with 5,346 career receiving yards and 82 touchdowns in 44 games played.{{Cite web |last=Rabinowitz |first=Bill |date=September 16, 2021 |title=Jaxon Smith-Njigba poised to become Ohio State's next star at receiver |url=https://www.dispatch.com/in-depth/sports/2021/09/16/ohio-state-receiver-jaxon-smith-njigba-ready-become-latest-star-for-buckeyes/8332374002/ |access-date=September 16, 2021 |website=The Columbus Dispatch}} 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, Oklahoma and Ole Miss. Ultimately, however, he committed to Ohio State University.{{Cite web |title=Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State Buckeyes, Wide Receiver |url=https://247sports.com/player/jaxon-smith-njigba-46047353/ |access-date=November 22, 2022 |website=247Sports |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Webb |first=Derrick |date=November 4, 2018 |title=Four-Star Wide Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba Commits To Ohio State |url=https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football-recruiting/2018/11/98504/four-star-wide-receiver-jaxon-smith-njigba-commits-to-ohio-state |access-date=November 22, 2022 |website=Eleven Warriors |language=en}}
College career
Smith-Njigba played in seven games as a freshman and led Ohio State's freshmen with 10 receptions for 49 yards and one touchdown.{{Cite web |last=Lueb |first=Kevin |date=September 1, 2021 |title=Former Rockwall star Jaxon Smith-Njigba ready to take on larger role in Ohio State's offense |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/other-schools/2021/09/01/former-rockwall-star-jaxon-smith-njigba-ready-to-take-on-larger-role-in-ohio-states-offense/ |access-date=September 16, 2021 |website=The Dallas Morning News}}
He was named a starter at the slot receiver position for the Buckeyes going into his sophomore season.{{Cite web |last=Means |first=Stephen |date=September 1, 2021 |title=Is Jaxon Smith-Njigba headed for breakout game in Ohio State football's season opener against Minnesota? Outrageous Predictions |url=https://www.cleveland.com/buckeye-talk-podcast/2021/09/is-jaxon-smith-njigba-headed-for-a-breakout-game-in-ohio-state-footballs-season-opener-against-minnesota-outrageous-predictions.html |access-date=September 16, 2021 |website=Cleveland.com}} 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 26–17 win against Nebraska.{{Cite web |last=Myerberg |first=Paul |date=November 6, 2021 |title=Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's record-setting day sparks No. 5 Ohio State over Nebraska |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2021/11/06/ohio-state-nebraska-receiver-jaxon-smith-njigba-big-day/6320244001/ |access-date=November 12, 2021 |website=USA Today}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Landis |first=Bill |date=January 2, 2022 |title=Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba sets bowl record with 347 receiving yards vs. Utah in Rose Bowl win |url=https://theathletic.com/news/ohio-states-jaxon-smith-njigba-sets-bowl-record-with-347-receiving-yards-vs-utah-in-rose-bowl-win/mc4Q6EYPabwO/ |access-date=January 2, 2022 |website=The Athletic |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Lind |first=Andrew |date=January 1, 2022 |title=Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba Sets School Record For Receiving Yards In Single Season |url=https://www.si.com/college/ohiostate/football/ohio-state-football-wide-receiver-jaxon-smith-njigba-sets-school-single-season-record-receiving-yards-david-boston |access-date=June 2, 2024 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en}}
Smith-Njigba was limited to just three games in 2022 due to a hamstring injury and his decision to not participate in the College Football Playoff.{{Cite web |last=Thamel |first=Pete |date=December 5, 2022 |title=OSU's Smith-Njigba headed to draft, out for CFP |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/35189741/ohio-state-wr-jaxon-smith-njigba-play-cfp-headed-draft |access-date=June 2, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} In addition, Smith-Njigba announced that he would pass on from his senior year of college and enter the 2023 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Parr |first=Dan |date=December 5, 2023 |title=Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba won't play in College Playoff, intends to enter 2023 NFL Draft |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/ohio-state-wr-jaxon-smith-njigba-won-t-play-in-college-playoff-intends-to-enter- |access-date=January 7, 2023 |website=[NFL.com]}}
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||
| colspan="16" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Ohio State Buckeyes|color=white}}" | Ohio State Buckeyes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2"| Season
! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="4"| Receiving ! colspan="4"| Returning | ||||||||||
| GP | GS | Rec | Yards | Avg | TD | Att | Yards | Avg | TD | |
| 2020
| 7 || 0 || 10 || 49 || 4.9 || 1 || 3 || 11 || 3.7 || 0 | ||||||||||
| 2021
| 13 || 13 || 95 || 1,606 || 16.9 || 9 || 8 || 60 || 7.5 || 0 | ||||||||||
| 2022
| 3 || 3 || 5 || 43 || 8.6 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 | ||||||||||
| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jaxon-smith-njigba-1.html Career] | 22 | 15 | 109 | 1,691 | 15.5 | 10 | 11 | 71 | 6.5 | 0 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 0 5/8
| weight = 196
| dash = 4.52
| ten split = 1.65
| twenty split = 2.61
| shuttle = 3.93
| cone drill = 6.57
| vertical = 35.0
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 5
| arm span = 30 1/2
| hand span = 9
| note = Sources:{{Cite web |title=Jaxon Smith-Njigba Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jaxon-smith-njigba/3200534d-4982-9636-a18c-5da6fbdaa80c |access-date=April 10, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=2023 NFL Draft Scout Jaxon Smith-Njigba College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1045234&DraftYear=2023 |access-date=April 10, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
Smith-Njigba was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round (20th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft.{{Cite web |last=Boyle |first=John |date=April 27, 2023 |title=Seahawks Select WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba With 20th Overall Pick |url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/jaxon-smith-njigba-nfl-draft-wr-ohio-state |access-date=June 18, 2023 |website=Seahawks.com}}
He caught his first regular-season NFL pass Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams with a one-yard completion from Geno Smith.{{cite web |title=Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks - September 10th, 2023 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202309100sea.htm |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=October 29, 2023 |language=en}} Smith-Njigba started his first game in Week 7 of that year after starter DK Metcalf was sidelined due to a rib injury;{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Eric |date=October 22, 2023 |title=Seahawks' rookie WRs shine in win over Cardinals with DK Metcalf out |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/seahawks-rookie-wrs-shine-in-win-over-cardinals-with-dk-metcalf-out |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=FOX Sports |publisher=Fox Media LLC}} during that game, he caught his first career touchdown pass on a 28-yard pass from Smith.{{Cite web |last=Boyle |first=John |date=October 22, 2023 |title=Seahawks Rookie Receivers "Played Like Starters" In Week 7 Win Over Cardinals |url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-rookie-receivers-played-like-starters-in-week-7-win-over-cardinals |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=Seahawks.com |publisher=Seattle Seahawks}} On October 29, Smith-Njigba caught the game winning touchdown pass from Smith on screen pass against the Cleveland Browns.{{Cite web |date=October 30, 2023 |title=Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Catches game-winning score |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/seahawks-jaxon-smith-njigba-catches-game-winning-score/ |access-date=June 2, 2024 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}} On December 18, Smith-Njigba caught the game winning touchdown pass from Drew Lock on Monday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles.{{Cite web
|last=Alexander |first=Mookie |date=December 19, 2023 |title=Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s epic game-winning touchdown was historic |url=https://www.fieldgulls.com/2023/12/19/24008387/jaxon-smith-njigba-first-rookie-modern-era-nfl-history-game-winning-touchdowns |access-date=June 2, 2024 |website=Field Gulls |language=en}} As a rookie, he appeared in all 17 games and made three starts. He finished with 63 receptions for 628 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Jaxon Smith-Njigba 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitJa06/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=June 2, 2024 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
In the 2024 season during the week 9 game against the Los Angeles Rams, Smith-Njigba recorded a career high game with seven catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Gilbert |first=John
|date=November 4, 2024|title=Jaxon Smith-Njigba Shines in Bigger Role against Rams |url=https://www.fieldgulls.com/2024/11/4/24287718/snap-reactions-jaxon-smith-njigba-shines-in-bigger-role-against-los-angeles-rams-seattle-seahawks |access-date=November 4, 2024 |website=Field Gulls|language=en}} He finished the 2024 season with 100 receptions for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Jaxon Smith-Njigba 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitJa06/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} His 100 total receptions on the season tied Tyler Lockett for the franchise record.{{Cite web |title=Seattle Seahawks Single-Season Receiving Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sea/single-season-receiving.htm |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} Smith-Njigba also made the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.{{cite web | last=Benintendi | first=Connor | title=Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba Earns Late Pro Bowl Nod | website=SI.com | date=2025-01-28 | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/seahawks/seahawks-news/seahawks-wr-jaxon-smith-njigba-earns-late-pro-bowl-nod | access-date=2025-03-09}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| Bold
| Career high |
=Regular season=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|GP|Games played}} | {{abbr|GS|Games started}} | {{abbr|Rec|Receptions}} | {{abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}} | {{abbr|Avg|Receiving yards per reception}} | {{abbr|Lng|Longest reception}} | {{abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}} | {{abbr|Fum|Fumbles}} | {{abbr|Lost|Fumbles lost}} | |
| 2023 | SEA
| 17 || 3 || 63 || 628 || 10.0 || 35 || 4 || — || — | ||||||||
| 2024 | SEA
| 17 || 16 || 100 || 1,130 || 11.3 || 46 || 6 || 1 || 0 | ||||||||
| colspan="2"|[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitJa06.htm Career] | 34 | 19 | 163 | 1,758 | 10.8 | 46 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
Personal life
Smith-Njigba is of half Sierra Leonean descent, and wears the country’s flag on the back of his helmet.{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Zack |date=April 25, 2020 |title=Ohio State's Impactful Nigerian Connections, Relationship with Greg Mattison and Eye-Opening June Visit Were Driving Forces in Tunmise Adeleye's Recruitment |url=https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football-recruiting/2020/04/113598/ohio-state-s-impactful-nigerian-connections-relationship-with-greg-mattison-and-eye-opening-june-visit |access-date=May 28, 2022 |website=Eleven Warriors}} His paternal grandparents are from Sierra Leone.{{Cite web |date=August 27, 2022 |title= Who are Jaxon Smith-Njigba's parents? |url= https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/who-are-jaxon-smith-njigbas-parents|access-date=December 22, 2023|website= sportskeeda}}
Smith-Njigba's older brother, Canaan Smith-Njigba, is a professional baseball player who is currently a free agent.{{Cite web |title=Canaan Smith-Njigba Stats, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/canaan-smith-njigba-675986 |access-date=May 20, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
{{footballstats|pfr=S/SmitJa06|yahoo=40041|espn=4430878|nfl=jaxon-smith-njigba}}
- [http://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/roster/Jaxon-Smith-Njigba/ Ohio State Buckeyes bio]
- [https://www.seahawks.com/team/players-roster/jaxon-smith-njigba/ Seattle Seahawks bio]
{{2023 NFL Draft}}
{{SeahawksFirstPick}}
{{Seahawks2023DraftPicks}}
{{Seattle Seahawks roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith-Njigba, Jaxon}}
Category:Sportspeople from Rockwall, Texas
Category:Players of American football from Rockwall County, Texas
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football players
Category:American people of Sierra Leonean descent