In a bit of a double whammy for Buckeyes fans, Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has announced that he is heading to the NFL draft and will not play in the College Football Playoff.
“I want to be out there competing with my brothers more than anything,” Smith-Njigba told ESPN on Monday. “The decision to turn pro was made after I was unable to come back on multiple occasions during the season and the doctors determined I would be unable to participate in the playoffs.”
OSU star Jaxon Smith-Njigba tells ESPN that he’s declaring for the NFL Draft and will not compete in the CFP. “I was unable to come back on multiple occasions during the season and the doctors determined I would be unable to participate in the playoffs.” https://t.co/oFd7JxkNJg
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 5, 2022
Smith-Njigba came into the season with a ton of hype and the expectation that he would be a top draft prospect. However, a hamstring injury severely limited his play all year. After breaking the Big Ten record with 1,606 yards last year, he caught five passes this season for 43 yards in three games.
Love Go bucks pic.twitter.com/VHx8oUKPH4
— JSN (@jaxon_smith1) December 5, 2022
“More than you could imagine,” he said about how frustrating the season was. “The season was tough, and I did everything I could to help my team and get back on the field. Sometimes things don’t work out how you planned, but my faith in God has given me the strength to focus on my health and the next challenge.”
Hopefully, JSN is able to heal up and regain his productive form, but the disappointing end to his college career is what many noted in their reactions to the news.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba hardly played this season (5 catches, 43 yards), but there were times in 2021 when he looked like the best receiver on an Ohio State team that also had Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave on it.
In 2021: 95 catches, 1,606 yards and 9 TD. https://t.co/54ClLXN2ZF
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 5, 2022
sucks we didnt get to see JSN that much this year
gonna be interesting to see where he goes in the draft https://t.co/1ga54YNO9A
— Wheelz (@WheelzFL) December 5, 2022
🥲🥲🥲 farewell, sweet prince https://t.co/E2oPP5ngdv
— Anand Nanduri (@NanduriNFL) December 5, 2022
No one can criticize Jaxon Smith-Njigba for skipping Ohio State’s playoff game when the entire defense skipped the Michigan game.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) December 5, 2022
Ohio State just announced Jaxon Smith-Njigba will not play in the Peach Bowl.
Ryan Day: “I want to thank Jaxon for all he has done for our Ohio State program. He has had such a major impact here in Columbus, on and off the field, in a relatively short period of time.”
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 5, 2022
Jaxon Smith-Njigba not playing in the Peach Bowl, per Ohio State. Him playing would have been a big surprise.
— Bud Elliott (@BudElliott3) December 5, 2022
