Jaxon Smith-Njigba Has a Real Chance to Win The Heisman Award

Jaxon Smith-Njigba made a name for himself in his sophomore season at Ohio State last year. After a dominant Sophomore campaign, the star wide receiver still has room to improve on his ridiculous stats from last season. According to Action Network, Smith-Njigba currently has the 6th best odds to win the Heisman award at +3000 ($100 to win $3000)

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Jaxon Smith-Njigba Is Already a Record Holder

Jaxon Smith-Njigba broke the Ohio State single season record for receptions and receiving yards with 95 receptions for 1,606 yards. The Ohio State single season reception record was previously held by Paris Campbell in 2018 with 90 receptions. The previous Ohio State single season receiving yards record was occupied by David Boston in 1998 when he had 1,435 yards. Smith-Njigba broke both of these records while having two wide receivers on his team that both went in the top 11 picks of the 2022 NFL draft. (Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave)

Not only did Smith-Njigba break single season records in his sophomore year, he also broke records for a single game. He broke the Ohio State record for most receptions in a game twice. He had 15 receptions against Nebraska and Utah. David Boston held the record with 14 receptions against Penn State in 1997 before Smith-Njigba came along. He also has the record for most yards in a game in Ohio State history. He exploded for 347 yards in the Rose Bowl game and shattered the record (also the Rose Bowl record). Terry Glenn previously held it when he had 253 yards against Pittsburgh in 1995. 

Smith-Njigba broke all these records in just one season. Smith-Njigba needs 97 receptions for 1,244 yards next season to hold the record for most receptions and receiving yards in an Ohio State career. After his monster Sophomore season, he seems more than capable to eclipse those numbers.

This Is His Time to Shine

With Olave and Wilson leaving for the NFL, Smith-Njigba will be the only experienced starting wide receiver for Ohio State. In 2021 Smith-Njigba played two games where one of Olave or Wilson didn’t suit up and one game where neither of them played. In those 3 games combined Smith-Njigba posted 32 receptions for 620 yards and 4 touchdowns. That’s an average of 10.66 receptions, 206.66 yards and 1.33 touchdowns per game. While I don’t think that’s sustainable over a full season, we should see Smith-Njigba put up insane numbers in 2022.

The last wide receiver to win the Heisman award was Devonta Smith in 2020. Smith posted 117 receptions for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns that year. We saw Smith-Njigba post similar numbers with two first round wideouts on his team. With Olave and Wilson gone, it’s not crazy to think Smith-Njigba can put up similar type numbers in 2022, if not better. 

The top 5 projected pick in the 2022 NFL draft will look to lead the Buckeyes offense this season that was 1st in yards per game (561.5) and points per game (45.7) last season. Smith-Njigba is looking to continue his already well established chemistry with star QB C.J Stroud. Stroud finished 4th in Heisman voting in 2021. We shouldn’t be shocked if we see both Stroud and Smith-Njigba in New York as Heisman candidates in 2022. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a name you should remember for years to come.