Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who starred for the Rockwall Yellowjackets, was selected at No. 20 by the Seattle Seahawks during the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday.
Smith-Njigba was not only one of the best receivers in high school, but one of the best in college while playing for Ohio State. He was also the first WR off the draft board.
In 2021, Smith-Njigba was Rose Bowl game MVP, Third-team All-American (Associated Press) and Third-team all-Big Ten Conference. He set Rose Bowl records with 347 receiving yards and 15 receptions with three touchdowns.
Smith-Njigba finished 2021 with 95 catches and 1,606 yards. His 95 catches ranked fifth-most in Big Ten history. His 1,606 yards receiving broke a 20-year Big Ten record set by Wisconsin’s Lee Evan in 2001.
Smith-Njigba only played in three games last season. The Buckeyes went 11-2 overall and lost 42-41 to Georgia in the College Football national semifinals. OSU also went 11-2 in 2021 and 8-0 in conference. The Buckeyes beat Utah 48-45 in the Rose Bowl.
During his time at Rockwall, Smith-Njigba was a 5-star player and ranked in the Top 50 nationally according to 247Sports. He was named Texas 6A player of the year in 2019 as a senior when he made 104 catches for 2,094 yards and 35 touchdowns. He totaled 2,264 yards total offense with 39 TDs.
Rockwall went 12-3 and made an appearance in the state semifinals.
He led DFW during his junior year with 97 catches for 1,828 yards and 20 touchdowns.
He finished his career with 5,346 yards and 82 touchdowns in 44 games. Smith-Njigba, who had 14 catches for 267 yards and three TDs in a 2018 playoff game against Allen, played in the Army All-American game after his senior year.
He also had 83 catches for 1,328 yards and nine TDs as a sophomore.
Seattle also drafted top cornerback Devon Witherspoon (Illinois) with the fifth overall pick. Alabama QB Bryce Young was the top overall pick to Carolina. Smith-Njigba’s teammate, OSU QB CJ Stroud was selected second to Houston.
Rounds 2 and 3 will take place Friday night while Rounds 4, 5, 6 and 7 will be Saturday afternoon.
