Tag: Jaxson Smith-Njigba

With three first round NFL draft picks, Ohio State football makes history

Ohio State is in the history books with this achievement #GoBucks

At this point in the history of the NFL, it’s hard to be the first to do anything, but [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] did that Thursday night.

With three first-round selections (C.J. Stroud, Paris Johnson Jr. and Jaxon Smith-Njigba), the Buckeyes became the first school in the history of the NFL draft with 90 players selected in the history of the initial round.

It’s a unique honor, one that shows Ohio State has had incredible longevity in producing some of the top players sent to the next level. There shouldn’t be any slowing in the future because the Buckeyes develop and recruit at a level that only a few schools can compete with.

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It’s just another reason of many to play for or root for the Ohio State football program.

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Cowboys’ top 5 offensive prospects per position in 2023 NFL draft

Top five prospects for the Cowboys at quarterback, running back, receiver, tight end, offensive tackles, and interior offensive line. | From @cdpiglet

Unlike most recent seasons where fans wait until the middle of spring for major additions, the Dallas Cowboys are about to add to an already fruitful offseason. Not only did they bring back key guys, but they got outside help with trades for both CB Stephon Gilmore and WR Brandin Cooks.

The work during this free agency period has helped close the major holes on the team and left the draft open for multiple options. Here are the top five offensive options at each position in this draft.

Watch: Highlights of Ohio State signees at All-American Bowl practice

The Buckeyes have a ton of talent in San Antonio this week #GoBucks

While one of the two high school all-star games has already been played (check out this report on Noah Rogers at the Under Armor All-American Bowl), the other game has yet to happen but the prep is going on now.

Formerly known as the [autotag]Army All-American Bowl[/autotag] — now known as the [autotag]All-American Bowl[/autotag] — the game features seven [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] signees. It is a great indicator of future talent as the list of former players is very impressive. It includes Ohio State stars of the past [autotag]Chase Young[/autotag], [autotag]Ezekiel Elliott[/autotag], [autotag]Garrett Wilson[/autotag], and many others.

Plenty of current Buckeyes that have made impacts in their careers like [autotag]C.J. Stroud[/autotag] and [autotag]Jaxson Smith-Njigba[/autotag] were participants in the game as well. Since the contest will be played this Saturday, plenty of practice highlights are being shared around Twitter. Here are the best of the Buckeye signees so far during practice.

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Breaking: Star Ohio State receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s status known for College Football Playoff and beyond

We wish him the best! #GoBucks

After a 2021 season in which [autotag]Jaxson Smith-Njigba[/autotag] was all world, many expected the same to happen during his junior year.

Unfortunately, Smith-Njigba injured his hamstring in the season-opening win against [autotag]Notre Dame[/autotag]. Though he tried battling through the injury, he was a shell of his former self and was eventually shut down after the Iowa game.

Many hoped the star receiver would try to play again this year, despite missing the season finale, in the [autotag]College Football Playoff[/autotag]. Once again, Smith-Njigba made a decision for his future. On Monday, he announced he will not play in the Buckeyes’ national semifinal due to the injury and will instead prepare for the NFL draft.

You can’t blame him for making this decision. The lifespan of an NFL player is short. We wish him the best at the next level and will always have his dominant performance in last year’s Rose Bowl.

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The list of Buckeyes on the 2023 NFL draft’s radar

Breaking down the next round of Ohio State players, who could go pro. #GoBucks

In the 2022 NFL draft, the Ohio State Buckeyes produced a total of six picks over the three days. This was the lowest output for the school since 2015, that year the Buckeyes produced five selections. The 2022 class snapped a streak of at least seven players being selected.

Perhaps a new streak can begin in the 2023 class. Ohio State’s prospect list will be headlined by quarterback [autotag]C.J. Stroud[/autotag]. He finished out the season as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and helped lead the team to the Rose Bowl victory over the Utah Utes.

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud finishes fourth in Heisman voting
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Stroud should challenge for the trophy in 2022 with another big season. He will rely heavily on his receiving tandem of [autotag]Jaxson Smith-Njigba[/autotag] and Marvin Harrison Jr, as well as running back TreVeyon Henderson. Buckeyes Wire will take a more in-depth look at the roster in the coming months.

For now, the focus is on the draft-eligible players for the next season.

According to this list from NBC Sports, there is an offensive trio for the Buckeyes on the radar for the 2023 NFL draft.

Each of the players was listed first among their position groups.

Ohio State breaks five Rose Bowl records in win over Utah

Records are made to be broken and Ohio State just rewrote Rose Bowl history. #GoBucks

What a game! Things looked somewhat bleak for Ohio State in the first half, but we kind of thought if the defense could make some adjustments and get some stops, the Buckeyes still had a chance. And boy did they! The defense held the Utes to 10 points in the second half and the offense kept on rolling, setting some new marks in Rose Bowl history.

Records fell in the 2022 Rose Bowl, five of which were set by Ohio State and another record tied in a dramatic 48-45 effort against Utah.

First up was Jaxon Smith-Njigba who had himself a night. Smith-Njigba seemed to relish the role of the go-to guy, hauling in 15 receptions (a new Rose Bowl record) for 346 yards (a new Rose Bowl record). The previous mark was set by Keyshawn Johnson with 216 yards receiving in 1996. The 346 receiving yards also happen to be the most in the history of any Bowl game since Bowl games began.

Smith-Njigba also set a new single-season record at Ohio State with 1,606 receiving yards, breaking David Boston’s record of 1,435 receiving yards set in 1998. Smith-Njigba needed 177 yards to break the mark and got there in the first half before he decided to just obliterate the previous record.

C.J. Stroud also set some records of his own. The Freshman quarterback threw for 572 yards (a new Rose Bowl record) and six touchdown passes (a new Rose Bowl record).

Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr. also etched their names in Rose Bowl history, each having three touchdown receptions. Harrison Jr. saw more action with Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson opting out earlier in the week.

The Buckeyes offense also set a team Rose Bowl record by amassing 682 total yards as Utah could find no answer for the Ohio State passing attack.

These feel video game numbers, folks. Only they aren’t. They are real. And it’s clear that Ohio State is going to be a juggernaut on the offensive side of the ball come fall of 2022 once again.

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Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njibga has 347 receiving yards in wild Rose Bowl win

Ohio State rallied to down Utah in an absolutely wild Rose Bowl

Ohio State was without wide receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson in the Rose Bowl Saturday against Utah.

While those Buckeyes decided to prep for the NFL draft, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba put on a historic show.

The sophomore from Rockwall, Texas, caught 15 passes for an all-time bowl record 347 yards as the Buckeyes downed Utah, 48-45, on a 19-yard field goal with nine seconds remaining.

Ohio State was down 14 points four times in the game but never stopped rallying. The Buckeyes were without almost two dozen scholarship players and still won the game.

Smith-Njigba had three touchdown receptions as did freshman Marvin Harrison Jr., who had 6 catches for 71 yards.

Smith-Njigba put up wild numbers in high school:

  • Compiled 5,346 career receiving yards and 82 touchdowns in 44 career games
    • In 13 games as a senior, had 104 catches for 2,094 yards and 35 touchdowns

Ohio State quarterback C.J, Stroud was 37-of-46 for 572 passing yards and the 6 TD passes.

The teams combined for more than 1,140 yards of total offense.

Ohio State’s game-winning drive came after Utah had tied the score at 45 on a pass from backup quarterback Bryon Barnes to Dalton Kincaid.

Barnes, a walk-on freshman, had not thrown a pass before having to replace an injured Cam Rising, who had accounted for more than 300 yards and 3 touchdowns.