Jaxon Smith-Njigba, born on 14 February 2002 is an American Football player. He plays the role of a slot receiver. A slot receiver is one who lines up between the last offensive lineman and the wide receiver. A slot receiver's main duty is to run shorter routes and find open pockets on either side as they are away from the sidelines.
Smith-Njigba mainly faces concerns regarding his speed due to which it is nearly impossible for him to beat a defender vertically. However, he is a master at route running and knows exactly how to get himself open. Using stutter steps, cuts and varied acceleration, Jaxon has the uncanny ability to find open spaces in the field.
He is a delight to work with for coaches as he shows 100% dedication whether it is route running or blocking. This is a great team player quality as footage reveals that he puts in equal effort in blocking his man even when the play is happening on the opposite side of the field.
At the NFL Combine, Jaxon ranked 10th overall in the wide receiver category. He is rated as a player who can become a good starter in a couple of years. A big worry for the NFL teams is that Jaxon missed almost the entire 2022 season with a hamstring injury. Teams will have to decide based on the footage they can get from his Freshman and Sophomore years alone. However, the talent is still there to see.
How tall is Jaxon Smith-Njigba?
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a slot receiver who plays for the Ohio State Buckeyes. His height is 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 mts). As a receiver, he is around the average height in the NFL. A taller receiver does have some advantages as he can jump higher than defenders or make use of his longer wingspan in case reaching is required. However, in Smith-Njigba’s case, even at an average height, he is able to pull off catches in tight spaces efficiently.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s Weight
The receiver from Rockwall weighed in at 196 lbs (89 kgs) at the Combine. Jaxon has a good physique overall. His height and weight ratio is good enough for him to express his athletic abilities to the maximum. His weight allows him to easily turn defenders and be quick on his feet whenever he wants to cut in or stop immediately. In this way, he is able to generate separation from the defenders on several occasions.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s Age
Jaxon SMith-Njigba was born on 14 February 2002 in Rockwall, Texas. Currently, he is 21 years old and a junior at Ohio State University.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s Wingspan
Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s wingspan is measured at 75.5 inches. He falls right within the limits of an average wingspan for receivers and tight ends in the NFL. A longer wingspan is beneficial as it helps receivers extend their arms further when the ball is away from the ball, whereas, with a shorter wingspan, the receiver needs to be in the perfect position to catch the ball.