The Opening Drive 2/8: Jaxon Smith-Njigba Is a Super Bowl Champion
Zone 6 Competing on the Biggest Stage.
JSN on the Biggest Stage
Jaxon Smith-Njigba didn’t post headline numbers in the Super Bowl, but his impact went well beyond the box score. He finished with 4 receptions on 10 targets for 27 yards (6.8 per catch), a long of 16, and a key first down. He was consistently involved in the plan, aligned in multiple spots, and asked to work through traffic against top-end coverage.
Smith-Njigba briefly exited to enter concussion protocol, then returned in the third quarter and immediately reinserted himself into the flow of the offense — a clear sign of trust from the staff. From a coaching perspective, this was a professional performance: availability, toughness, and attention to detail when it mattered most.
What makes the stat line more telling is how the New England Patriots defended him. New England was determined not to let Smith-Njigba be the difference, crowding the perimeter, bracketing routes, and disrupting timing in the intermediate areas. That approach opened opportunities elsewhere, and Seattle made them pay. Cooper Kupp led the way with 6 catches for 61 yards, while AJ Barner added 4 for 54 and a touchdown. That’s complementary football — draw attention, do your job, and let the offense finish.
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Buckeye Wide Receivers and the Super Bowl Standard
Ohio State has a long history of sending players to Super Bowl–winning teams, but championship success at the wide receiver position is rare. The standard bearer has long been Santonio Holmes, whose Super Bowl MVP performance remains one of the most iconic moments in Buckeye NFL history.
Smith-Njigba’s championship now adds another chapter to that lineage. It reinforces what Ohio State has built at the position — receivers who are developed to handle pressure, adapt to roles, and contribute to winning at the highest level. Different eras. Different roles. Same standard.
For Buckeye wideouts, the path has never just been about production on Saturdays — it’s about preparation that holds up when the lights are brightest.
Buckeye Film Breakdown will return soon with some fresh content.
