Buckeyes Ex Jaxon Smith-Njigba Believes Jeremiah Smith Is 'Next' Among OSU WR Greats
Last offseason, both Garret Wilson and Chris Olave gushed over the potential of Ohio State teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba. While the duo were top 15 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, their eyes were set on 2023, when the third member of the Buckeyes' potent passing attack would join them in the pros.
"Jaxon's cold, man," Wilson said following his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign during Super Bowl week. "I'm confident that wherever he goes, he's going to make a big impact early."
Smith-Njigba has yet to play a down for the Seattle Seahawks since being drafted in the first round this past April, but he's already scouting talent for his former team from afar. And while Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka are next in line to hear their names called, JSN is certain that Jeremiah Smith is "next" to enter the Buckeyes' greatness category.
"Yeah ... he's next! Go Bucks," Smith-Njigba quote tweeted Saturday of a picture of him and Smith.
Smith-Njigba, one of the top receiving prospects from Rockwall, Texas, during the 2020 recruiting cycle, became a household name under now-offensive coordinator Brian Hartline. Relying on technique over size, the 6-1 pass catcher was renowned for his route-running ability and natural hands.
Smith, a native of Hollywood, Fla., might have more upside than the trio of receivers that recently called Columbus home. Standing 6-3 and weighing 198 pounds, Smith graded out as the No. 1 receiving prospect in the 2024 class and the No. 3 overall player.
Expectations early on are for Smith to become acclimated with the play-calling and carve out a role in some capacity with the passing game. Both Harrison and Egbuka — another pair of projected top-15 picks — likely won't see their targets diminish. Neither should Julian Fleming, the No. 3 receiver in place of the injured JSN.
Smith-Njigba sees the potential in Smith's immediate contributions, which means likely so does Hartline. Last season at Chaminade-Madonna Preparatory, he caught 58 passes for 1,073 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Ohio State doesn't rebuild, but instead moves players up the ladder at receiver. Smith-Njigba will be replaced by Harrison come Week 1 against Indiana. Another rising pass-catcher should replace Harrison and so on.
Soon enough, Smith will be running the offense at Ohio Stadium. After all, according to Smith-Njigba, he's "next" anyways.
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