OSU’s Smith-Njigba headed to draft, out for CFP

2:28 PM ET Pete ThamelESPN Ohio State star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is headed to the NFL draft and will not

play in the College Football Playoff.”I wish to be out there taking on my siblings more than anything,”Smith-Njigba told ESPN on Monday. “The decision to turn professional was made after I was unable to come back on multiple occasions throughout the season and the physicians determined I would be not able to take part in the playoffs. “Smith-Njigba got in the season as one of the most decorated players in college football and the nation’s leading pass receiver draft prospect, however he dealt with a sticking around hamstring injury all year. He broke the Big Ten record with 1,606 lawns last season, consisting of a transcendent Rose Bowl performance in which he captured 15 passes for 347 yards and 3 touchdowns. The 2022 season never took off for Smith-Njigba. He hurt the hamstring early in Ohio State’s opener versus Notre Dame and played simply parts of 2 more games against Toledo and Iowa. Smith-Njigba caught simply 5 balls this season for 43 backyards, as the hamstring problem lingered.He said the whole

season was frustrating.”More than you could imagine,

“he said.”The season was difficult, and I did whatever I might to help my group and get back on the field. In some cases things do not work out how you prepared, but my faith in God has offered me the strength to concentrate on my health and the next difficulty.”He said he’s disappointed he will not get a chance to

take on his colleagues in the College Football Playoff. No. 4 Ohio State plays Georgia on Dec. 31.”Ohio State suggests the world to me,”he stated. “Seeing from afar will be hard, but I will be cheering my people on and hoping we get that natty.”Get special access to more than 3,000 premium articles a year from top writers. – VanHaaren: Ranking top CFB transfers” – Doolittle: Grading Verlander to NYM”- Wyshynski: Early NHL awards enjoy “
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More ESPN+material”Smith-Njigba will continue to be engaged in rehab and stated that he is “definitely preparing “

to take part in the NFL combine. He stated he looks forward to reminding scouts what made him the nation’s leading receiver possibility entering into the season.Smith-Njigba is a 6-foot, 197-pound receiver who reveals a fantastic propensity to get open, body control and the capability to get in and out of breaks. ESPN NFL draft expert Matt Miller stated that an equivalent NFL player is Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb. “I’m going to have an even larger effect in the NFL than when I dipped into OSU,”he said.”I’m a playmaker who assists my group win and nothing has altered. My game both physically and psychologically has actually only improved. The NFL is going to get a better variation of me, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to reveal everyone that I still am WR1.”