Jaxon Smith-Njigba
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Jaxon Smith-Njigba, born February 14th, 2002, is an American professional football wide receiver, currently making waves with the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL. His journey through college football with the Ohio State Buckeyes was nothing short of record-breaking. He etched his name in the record books not once, but twice, with 15 catches in a single game, and then shattered the single-season receiving yards record with an astounding 1,606 yards in 2021. This electrifying talent was then selected 20th overall by the Seahawks in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft.
His rookie season saw him play in all 17 games, stepping into a starting role by week three due to an injury to DK Metcalf. He continued his ascent in his second season, starting 16 out of 17 games, amassing an impressive 1,130 receiving yards and tying a team record with 100 receptions.
Born in Nacogdoches, Texas, and raised in Rockwall, Texas, Smith-Njigba displayed his prodigious talent early on at Rockwall High School. In his junior season, he led all high school players in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with 97 receptions, 1,828 yards, and 20 touchdowns. His senior year was even more remarkable, with 104 catches for 2,094 yards and 35 touchdowns, earning him both the Landry Award and the Texas Gatorade Football Player of the Year. He was a decorated high school All-American, finishing his career with a staggering 5,346 receiving yards and 82 touchdowns in just 44 games. A five-star prospect, ranked as the #5 wide receiver in the nation, he fielded offers from top programs like Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss, but ultimately committed to Ohio State University.
As a freshman at Ohio State, he played in seven games, leading all freshmen with 10 receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown. His sophomore season saw him named a starter at slot receiver. On November 6th, 2021, he set a single-game school record with 15 receptions for 240 yards against Nebraska. Later that season, he rewrote the record books again, setting both an Ohio State single-game and FBS Bowl record for receiving yards with 347 in the Rose Bowl, surpassing David Boston for the single-season record with 1,606 yards. His 2022 season was limited to three games due to injury and a decision to opt out of the College Football Playoff, leading him to declare for the 2023 NFL draft.
The Seattle Seahawks secured Smith-Njigba in the first round, 20th overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft. He made his first NFL reception in week one against the Los Angeles Rams. He earned his first start in week 7, scoring his first career touchdown on a 28-yard pass. He proved clutch, catching game-winning touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns and on Monday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles. As a rookie, he played in all 17 games, starting three, and finished with 63 receptions for 628 yards and four touchdowns.
In the 2024 season, he delivered a career-defining performance against the Los Angeles Rams, with seven catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns. He concluded the 2024 season with 100 receptions for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns, tying Tyler Lockett for the franchise record in receptions. This stellar season also earned him his first Pro Bowl selection.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is of Sierra Leonean descent, proudly displaying the country’s flag on his helmet. His paternal grandparents hail from Sierra Leone. His older brother, Canaan Smith-Njigba, is also a professional athlete, a baseball player currently a free agent.
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Jaxon Smith-Njigba ( 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 1,130 receiving yards and tying a team record with 100 receptions.
== Early life ==
Smith- Njigba was born on February 14, 2002, in Nacogdoches, Texas. He grew up in Rockwall, Texas, and attended Rockwall High School. 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. 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. Smith-Njigba played in the 2019 All-American Bowl and was named a high school All-American by Sports Illustrated and USA Today. Smith-Njigba finished his high school career with 5,346 career receiving yards and 82 touchdowns in 44 games played. 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.
== 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.
He was named a starter at the slot receiver position for the Buckeyes going into his sophomore season. 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. 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. 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.
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. In addition, Smith-Njigba announced that he would pass on from his senior year of college and enter the 2023 NFL draft.
=== College statistics ===
== Professional career ==
Smith-Njigba was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round (20th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft.
He caught his first regular-season NFL pass week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams with a one-yard completion from Geno Smith. Smith-Njigba started his first game in week 7 of that year after starter DK Metcalf was sidelined due to a rib injury; during that game, he caught his first career touchdown pass on a 28-yard pass from Smith. On October 29, Smith-Njigba caught the game winning touchdown pass from Smith on screen pass against the Cleveland Browns. On December 18, Smith-Njigba caught the game winning touchdown pass from Drew Lock on Monday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles. 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.
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. He finished the 2024 season with 100 receptions for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns. His 100 total receptions on the season tied Tyler Lockett for the franchise record. Smith-Njigba also made the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.
== NFL career statistics ==
=== Regular season ===
== Personal life ==
Smith-Njigba is of half Sierra Leonean descent, and wears the country’s flag on the back of his helmet. His paternal grandparents are from Sierra Leone.
Smith-Njigba's older brother, Canaan Smith-Njigba, is a professional baseball player who is currently a free agent.
== References ==
== External links ==
Career statistics from NFL.com · ESPN · Yahoo Sports · Pro Football Reference
Ohio State Buckeyes bio
Seattle Seahawks bio
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