Jaxon Smith-Njigba looks 'exactly as advertised' with Seattle Seahawks

Jaxon Smith-Njigba already made an impression with the Seattle Seahawks this spring. The former Ohio State star wide receiver looks “exactly as advertised,” according to ESPN reports.

He barely played last year, but that didn’t stop Seattle from using the No. 20 overall pick on him in the 2023 NFL Draft. The team firmly believes in his ability to be a game-changing wide receiver.

The speed was on display as well, despite that not being Smith-Njigba’s top trait.

“After being limited early by the hamstring injury that sidelined him for most of last season, Smith-Njigba has looked exactly as advertised — a skilled route-runner who excels at getting open from the slot,” ESPN’s Brady Henderson wrote. “Despite not being known as a burner, he showed he has plenty of speed when he got behind fellow first-rounder Devon Witherspoon on a wheel route to haul in a long touchdown, perhaps his top highlight of the spring.”

Quarterback Geno Smith is already a big fan. It could be a great one-two punch with DK Metcalf and Smith-Njigba.

“He’s so impressive,” Smith said, via ESPN. “Very smooth route-runner. Natural hands. Also, the game is not too big for him. You can see he’s got that self-confidence that you look for.”

Smith-Njigba became a superstar for his Rose Bowl performance at the end of the 2021 season. That season, he finished with 95 catches, 1,606 yards, nine touchdowns and 16.9 yards per catch.

He logged just 10 catches as a freshman and was limited to three games and five catches last season due to injury.

As a member of the Class of 2020, Smith-Njigba was a five-star recruit out of Rockwall (Texas) High, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 5 overall prospect in the state, the No. 3 wide receiver in the class and the No. 28 overall prospect in the class.

It was a long road, but it ultimately paid off for the star pass catcher. Speaking with ESPN NFL reporter Suzy Kolber during the draft, Smith-Njigba acknowledged the network of people who helped him reach this point.

“It’s awesome. A dream come true, like you said. A lot of work has been put in. It took a village for me to be here and I appreciate everybody. All the sacrifices, all the love that I’ve got back home,” Smith-Njigba said. “Let’s do this thing.”