Ryan Day: Jaxon Smith-Njigba played 'one of the best games' in Rose Bowl history

Ohio State is known for its star-studded receiving trio that includes Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Both Olave and Wilson are viewed as potential first round NFL Draft picks after the season, leading to both opting out of Ohio State’s Rose Bowl game against Utah. That left Smith-Njigba to carry the load, and he put up a historic performance in an Ohio State victory.

In the Rose Bowl, Smith-Njigba caught 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 23.1 yards per reception. While Olave and Wilson might get a lot of the attention, Smith-Njigba could very well be the best of the bunch in Ohio State’s receiving room. He made a pretty strong case for himself on Saturday night.

After the game, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day praised Smith-Njigba for his historic performance.

“I think Jaxon’s done what he’s done all year, and that’s just play within himself,” Day said of Smith-Njigba’s performance. “Certainly some of the plays he made tonight was tremendous. We leaned on him a lot. At one point I asked him, are you tired? On the play there where Clark caught him, he looked at me like what are you asking me for? Are you crazy? I’m going back out there. And played one of the best games probably in the history of the Rose Bowl.”

Smith-Njigba’s 347 yards set the all-time record for receiving yards in a bowl game, as well as the Ohio State record.

Day: The C.J. Stroud, Smith-Njigba connection has been great for Ohio State

On the season, Smith-Njigba finishes with 95 receptions for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns.

Smith-Njigba was in sync with Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud all night. Stroud threw for 573 yards and six touchdowns.

“I also thought C.J. and he just have a great connection,” Day added. “They have a great feel, and I think there’s a lot of trust there that’s been built over the year. I think it happened a little bit in that Nebraska game. Who knows? You have to ask them. Maybe it happened last year, I don’t know. But they read each other really well, and they’ve got a special connection.

“The throw on the touchdown pass, the inside slot fade, the throw and the catch there is probably as good as I’ve ever seen in a big time spot.”