WR Rankings: Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Updated: 01/21/2022

With the season underway players have had the opportunity to raise their stock and move up the rankings. Before we jump into Jaxon Smith-Njigba, here’s a few reminders about the rankings themselves:

• The rankings will be updated throughout the season.
• Players who have not played college football are not eligible for the rankings.
• Players are graded on their college ability, not their pro potential.
• We are judging players on their film, production and physical tools.

You can view the College Football WR Rankings here.

Ohio State wide receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a few highlight plays as a true freshman in 2020, but became a key part of the offense in 2021. He had a big performance early in the year in the loss against Oregon and built on that strong performance the rest of the year. He finished the year with a record breaking performance in the Rose Bowl, catching 15 passes for 347 yards and 3 touchdowns. For the season, Smith-Njigba had 95 catches for 1,606 yards and 9 touchdowns. The second year star led the team in receptions and receiving yards and only got better as the season wore on, proving he is one of the best players in college football.

Smith-Njigba has elite short area quickness. He is a sudden route runner, with great pace in and out of his breaks. Smith-Njigba creates separation easily with his ability to change directions efficiently and get back up to speed in the blink of an eye, making him almost impossible to guard one on one. In addition to helping him get open, his quickness allows Smith-Njigba to beat tacklers after the catch. He is slippery with the ball in hands, eluding tacklers with quick moves in space and turning short catches into big gains for the offense.

Smith-Njiba also has the ball skills and body control to make highlight reel plays. He catches the ball naturally with his hands which helps him to make difficult contested catches. Smith-Njigba also has excellent body control, adjusting well to the ball to make the tough grabs. He has good awareness of where he is on the field and does a good job of navigating the sidelines when he makes a catch near the boundary. Smith-Njigba makes difficult plays look routine, making his quarterbacks job easier.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba has become an exceptional receiver. While he is not a burner, he is an excellent route runner with the burst and change of direction to make big plays after the catch. Smith-Njigba has excellent hands, making the extraordinary catches look ordinary. He is a consistent performer, who understands the nuances of the position and always seems to do the little things the right way. He has proven he is deserving of a spot among the best players in college football.

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