Ohio State Football: Jaxon Smith-Njigba in store for a breakout season

We know the receivers for the Ohio State football team are loaded. One in particular seems ready for the leap to superstardom.

The Ohio State football team should have the best receiving corps in all of college football in the upcoming season. The obvious stars at receiver are Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, which are arguably the two best receivers in the country. Even with both Olave and Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba lining up at slot receiver should not be overlooked.

Smith-Njigba made some contributions in his true freshman year last season with 10 receptions and 49 receiving yards. When Smith-Njigba did play, he looked pretty good and flashed his potential. Considering the Buckeyes had no real offseason last year, Smith-Njigba’s early-season efforts were impressive.

This offseason, Smith-Njigba has consistently seen first-team reps at slot receiver. He will not see as many snaps as the two stars Olave and Wilson due to other players pushing for playing time.

Julian Fleming has impressed with a good offseason and the freshmen duo Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka are looking to make an impact. The Buckeye’s wide receiver room is just stacked. Guys like Fleming simply have to play, he is too talented.

Still, Smith-Njigba should have plenty of time to shine even with players like Fleming getting frequent snaps. Smith-Njigba is in line to have a breakout year for multiple reasons.

Why Jaxon Smith-Njigba will have a breakout season for Ohio State football

First off, Smith-Njigba clearly has a lot of potential after being ranked as a five-star in the 2020 recruiting class. During his brief time on the field, he has displayed reliable hands with his smooth route running, which is all complemented by his sneaky athleticism.

Both his hands and athleticism were on full display when Smith-Njigba made one of the catches of the year in the back of the end zone against Nebraska last season. When the catch was made live, it looked like Smith-Njigba’s catch was incomplete. He was so close to out of bounds, it seemed like an impossible catch.

When the catch was reviewed, it became clear Smith-Njigba managed to drag a foot in bounds. The catch itself was difficult, running in the back of the end zone and leaping to high-point the ball. What made it such an amazing catch was how Smith-Njigba somehow had the body control in mid-air to get one foot down in bounds. This one catch showed what Smith-Njigba is capable of.

Alongside his receiving skills, Smith-Njigba has been praised for his blocking this offseason. Brian Hartline, Ohio State’s Wide Receiver Coach, said Smith-Njigba is probably Ohio State’s best blocking receiver,

"He may be our best blocker in the room. His blocking on the perimeter, his desire, his physicality is much-needed in our room, and that’s probably the best one at it. He’s a pleasure the coach, love coaching him."

Receivers being capable blockers is often an underrated part of their game. Ohio State could be more prone to run the ball this year with a new starting quarterback, C.J. Stroud, and with a deeper running back room. This will lead Smith-Njigba to more playing time if he truly is their best blocking receiver.

Smith-Njigba has more than enough talent to be Ohio State’s next star receiver. On the Buckeye offense, a third receiver stepping up will be important. With a breakout season, Smith-Njigba will be in a position to be one of Ohio State’s lead receivers for the following season.

In addition, a third receiver stepping up will make Ohio State’s passing attack near impossible to stop. Olave, Wilson, and Ruckert are already a handful, but adding a third receiver will make it an even taller task for defenses. Olave or Wilson will probably see double teams all year and will see the majority of defenses’ attention, this leaves Smith-Njigba with consistent one-on-one coverage where he can feast.

Do not sleep on Smith-Njigba this season. Yes, Olave and Wilson will be the best receiving duo in the country, but that doesn’t mean a slot receiver cannot have a great season. Smith-Njigba firmly has his grasp on the starting slot receiver role, he should have a big sophomore season.