Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s life is about to change.
By the end of the night in Kansas City on Thursday, the record-setting Buckeye wide receiver will be a first-round NFL draft pick. As of Wednesday, though, Smith-Njigba said the moment “hasn't hit yet.” It’s still surreal for Smith-Njigba, who told Eleven Warriors in an exclusive interview that he doesn’t expect everything to sink in until the phone rings on draft night.
Until then, Smith-Njigba will try to abide by the advice given to him by Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave – two former teammates who know a thing or two about walking across the stage as a first-round pick.
“It's been a blessing. I know it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I'm just trying to take advantage of it all. I mean, traveling is a lot and doing a lot of things. There's a lot of talking in interviews, doing all that stuff. But I think it's a blessing at the end of the day,” Smith-Njigba said at the NFL Play Football clinic in Kansas City. “It's better to be busy than not be busy. … (Wilson and Olave told me to) just enjoy it. Like I said, just be myself and they tell me just to be present and just enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You won't get it back. So that's what I'll do.”
Even before his breakout sophomore season, a year in which he set Ohio State’s single-season receptions (95) and receiving yardage (1,606) records, Smith-Njigba thought he’d have a chance to get to this stage. But his five-star recruiting pedigree alone didn’t guarantee the success he’d eventually have.
Smith-Njigba said he knew Ohio State’s track record at developing the wide receiver position would only increase his odds of becoming the player he hoped to grow into.
“I knew going into Ohio State, they would develop me as best as anyone in the country, because that's what they do. So I knew I would have a chance,” Smith-Njigba said. “It's all about performing and what you do on the field, but I knew that I had a chance going to Ohio State.”
Smith-Njigba said the caliber of talent that came before him at Ohio State only inspired him to reach for the same heights, and he hopes his success will have the same effect on the upcoming Buckeye wideouts that will watch him get drafted on Thursday.
And Smith-Njigba knows there are plenty more draftees coming down the pipeline from Brian Hartline’s position room.
“It's awesome. I mean, I'm just blessed to be a part of it,” Smith-Njigba said. “Great receivers have came through that room and for me to have a seat at that table, it's an honor. And it just pushes the next group that comes in. It's just a really good thing happening right now. … That's how it's supposed to be, especially at Ohio State. Every day you got to get after it. And that's what made us so great, and that's when that development comes in. Just always having to be present, always having to come to work and be ready. So that translates to the league, I feel like, really well. So I'm excited for those young guys and hopefully this thing just keeps continuing.”
In fact, Smith-Njigba said there could be a trio of Buckeye receivers in his shoes at this time next year, when Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka and Julian Fleming will all be draft-eligible.
“I think we'll have three here next year,” Smith-Njigba said. “Three of them.”
Smith-Njigba’s status as a first-round lock appeared momentarily jeopardized by the hamstring injury that cost him the majority of his junior season, but on the eve of draft night, he’s still considered the top wideout in his class. Smith-Njigba is beginning to see the fruits of his labor, and that feeling will only intensify on Thursday.
“It's an honor, it's a dream. A lot of hard work, and we're here,” Smith-Njigba said. “Definitely excited. But yeah, it's just hard work, it's kind of paying off. It is paying off. So I'm just blessed to be in this opportunity.”
