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Jaxon Smith-Njigba teases NFL Draft drip: 'I can't wait'

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•04/25/23
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State Buckeyes receiver
Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba stiff-arms a defender after a catch in a Rose Bowl game against Utah on Jan. 1, 2022. (Joshua A. Bickel / USA TODAY Sports)

The 2023 NFL Draft will officially begin on Thursday evening, with 17 players in attendance in person at the draft. And the drip will be on point, Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba said.

The Ohio State standout is likely to be a first-round NFL Draft pick despite a minimal on-field impact in 2022.

He certainly hopes to look the part on Thursday night from Union Station in Kansas City.

“I can’t wait to showcase my drip,” Jaxon Smith-Njigba said on a SportsCenter special on Tuesday night. “That’s what they call it. Boss hooked me and my family up with some nice suits so I’m just blessed to be here in Kansas City and to have this opportunity.”

This week’s NFL Draft will be a double exciting event for Jaxon Smith-Njigba, given his lack of production on the field last fall. In some ways it’s his reintroduction to football.

He produced some monster statistics during a breakout sophomore campaign in 2021.

During that season, Smith-Njigba recorded 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. His monster showing against Utah in the Rose Bowl — 15 catches for 347 yards and three touchdowns — helped firmly put him on the map going into 2022.

Injuries derailed that, though. So Jaxon Smith-Njigba will be looking for a big win with his draft outfit on Thursday.

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He wasn’t giving away any hints, not even color.

“No, I can’t. Not til it comes out,” Smith-Njigba said. “I’m sure you’ll like it, though. I promise you.”

More on the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is set to take place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event will be held at the plaza just outside of Union Station.

Round 1 of the NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility. 100 underclassmen were approved for last year’s draft. 73 of those 100 underclassmen were granted special eligibility while 27 of them were underclassmen who had completed their college degrees.

The 2023 NFL scouting combine will take place from Feb. 28 through March 6 in Indianapolis.