C.J. Stroud, TreVeyon Henderson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are projected to be among the best at their respective positions this season.
It's no secret: Ohio State's offense is loaded. Everywhere you look – whether it be at the skill positions or offensive line – there are All-American candidates. The Buckeye offense is expected to be the best in the country this fall and C.J. Stroud, TreVeyon Henderson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are three huge reasons why that's the case.
After an impressive 2021 campaign for the trio, even bigger things are expected from them this season. Oddsmakers believe each of them is the best at their respective positions, as DraftKings Sportsbook lists Stroud, Henderson and Smith-Njigba to finish at or near the top for their respective position's most important statistics. (All over/unders listed are for the regular season only.)
| Player | Over/Under | Where it ranks among players listed |
|---|---|---|
| C.J. Stroud | 4,100.5 passing yards | 2nd |
| 42.5 passing touchdowns | 1st | |
| TreVeyon Henderson | 1,249.5 rushing yards | 1st |
| 14.5 rushing touchdowns | T-1st | |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | 1,549.5 receiving yards | 1st |
| 12.5 receiving touchdowns | T-1st |
The only number that isn't atop the list: Stroud's projected 4,100.5 passing yards are second to only Mississippi State's Will Rogers, whose over/under is set at 4,379.5 passing yards. Other than that, the Buckeye trio is leading the way in projected passing touchdowns, rushing yards and touchdowns and receiving yards and touchdowns.
C.J. Stroud
In his first season under center, Stroud completed 317 of 441 passes for 4,435 yards, 44 touchdowns and six interceptions in 12 games, including a season-high 573 yards and six touchdowns to lead Ohio State to a win over Utah in the Rose Bowl.
With a year under his belt, Stroud is expected to be even better this season. He's received a ton of praise from both Ohio State coaches and his teammates, so much so that Ryan Day has even asked him for suggestions in terms of play calling. Stroud has grown on the field, both as a leader and as a player, and now he's expected to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country this fall. All while proving that he can be QB1 in next April's NFL Draft.
If I was a betting man: Even after losing two top-11 picks at wide receiver in this past April's NFL draft, Stroud will prove that not only is there still plenty of talent in the wide receivers room, but that he’s such a good quarterback that he will make that elite talent even better. There will be five-star receivers all over the field. Good luck stopping Ohio State's air attack, opposing defenses. Bet the over for both.
TreVeyon Henderson
As a true freshman, Henderson put the rest of college football on notice last season. In 13 games, he finished with 183 carries for 1,248 yards and 15 touchdowns while also bringing in 27 catches for 312 yards and four touchdowns. Now, after a year of experience and getting the feel for what needs to be done at this level, Henderson is expected to do even more.
The biggest thing that might slow Henderson down (and it's certainly not a bad thing): Stroud and company should dominate through the air and backup running back Miyan Williams is so good that he would start at the majority of FBS schools not named Ohio State. Both of these things could, potentially, give Henderson fewer opportunities. Then again, he's so dominant that it might not even matter in the end.
Last season, he became just the fifth true freshman to serve as Ohio State's starting tailback. In Year 2, Henderson will once again look to make a name for himself even in an air-it-out-style offense.
If I was a betting man: This is a tough one, honestly. Henderson is one of the best running backs in the country and will prove that once again this season, but in a pass-first offense and with Miyan Williams as RB2, hitting the overs for both yards and touchdowns could be tough. Then again, he's so good that fewer opportunities than usual might not even matter. Screw it, bet the over for both.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Smith-Njigba's 2021 season was special, to say the least. He compiled an Ohio State single-season records of 95 receptions and 1,606 receiving yards while also scoring nine touchdowns. Keep in mind, this was all while playing alongside Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson – two top-11 picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. Now, he's the guy, one that will not only (hopefully) prove to be elite as WR1, but make other wide receivers' lives easier with how much attention he will receive every single play, just like Olave and Wilson did for him last season.
When Wilson claimed Smith-Njigba was the best wide receiver he's ever seen, Ohio State fans took notice, especially because of all the talent the Buckeyes have had at wide receiver recently. The rest of college football took notice when the wideout totaled 15 receptions for 347 yards and three touchdowns during a record-breaking performance in the Rose Bowl.
Even after all of that, Smith-Njigba still isn't satisfied entering his third season at Ohio State.
“I'm not where I want to be,” Smith-Njigba said in March. “I feel like my ceiling is way higher. I feel like I can get way better in all aspects of the game.
“My mindset is I want to get better at everything I did last season. Just tweak it, level up just one or two notches.”
If the junior finishes with over 1,549.5 receiving yards this year, he will (very likely) break six Ohio State records, along with the ones that he has already taken over:
- First Buckeye receiver to post two 1,000-yard seasons
- Career receptions
- Career receiving yards
- Career receptions per game
- Career 100-yard receiving games
- Consecutive 100-yard receiving games
If I was a betting man: Smith-Njigba will finish the regular season with the most receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in the country. If he stays healthy, I just don't see how the junior won't have at least 100 yards in every game, and then, in some games, he will have 200-plus yards. Even with all of the attention he will receive from opposing defenses, Smith-Njigba is so good and his connection with Stroud will be so smooth that it won't really matter throughout the regular season. Bet the over for both.
If Ohio State's offense wants to reach its full potential this fall, quite a few of these betting numbers will likely have to hit the over. What say you, Buckeye Nation? Where do you think Stroud, Henderson and Smith-Njigba will finish the regular season in terms of numbers? Are you extremely confident that any of the overs will for sure hit (or not hit)?
