The Opening Drive 3/24: Jaxon Smith-Njigba Gets Paid and a Huge 2028 Visit Looms
Zone 6 continues to dominate the NFL and shows no signs of slowing down
JSN Gets Rewarded
The fact that we only got Jaxon Smith-Njigba for essentially one season will always be one of the biggest travesties in Ohio State fandom. Yes, he played a few games his freshman year and we all know about the questionable hit that derailed his junior campaign. But, his sophomore season was really the only season we truly got to experience him as a Buckeye.
Headed into that 2021 season all of the attention was on Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, as it should have been. Yet it was JSN who led the team in most statistical categories sans touchdowns. His stat line that season was 95 catches for 1,606 yards, and 9 touchdowns. But, the true coming out party was the Rose Bowl against Utah. With Olave and Wilson sitting out, most fans were skeptical of what the Buckeye passing attack would look like. However, CJ Stroud and JSN had other plans. Stroud would throw for 573 yards. Smith-Njigba would re-write the Rose Bowl record books to the tune of 15 catches and 347 yards, along with 3 touchdowns. That showing would create a ton of hype for him headed into his junior season. However, an injury in the Notre Dame game of 2022 would derail his junior season, and he would eventually shut it down to prepare for the NFL.
That injury most likely slid him down the draft boards a little bit to the 20th pick. He was still the first receiver taken that draft. This past season was his true breakout NFL campaign, capped off by being named Offensive Player of the Year and winning a Super Bowl.
Today, he became the highest paid wide receiver in the NFL. He signed a 4-year extension worth 168.6 million dollars, according to Adam Schefter. Couple that with the recent contract extensions signed by Garrett Wilson ( 3 years/130 million) and Terry McLaurin ( 3 years/97 million) and OSU is truly proving it is Wide Receiver U. The final numbers will be very fun to monitor once Chris Olave, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Emeka Egbuka all sign their next deals.
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Ya’all Got Any More of Them Harrison Brothers?
My rule of thumb when discussing recruiting is to never get too excited, let alone when the player is a full class ahead of the current class. However, the Rivals 300 for the class of 2028 has been released, and a familiar name is at the top. Wide receiver Jett Harrison came in at number 1 in the first edition. The junior-to-be hauled in 20 touchdowns this past season. The bigger news, with regards to Harrison, is that he is slated to visit Ohio State this weekend according to recruiting guru Steve Wiltfong.
Harrison currently holds offers from Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee, Duke, Va Tech, Syracuse, Penn State, and Boston College.
Jeremy’s Memorabilia Find of the Day
Today’s memorabilia item of the day comes from College Traditions. A bobblehead commemorating the 50-year anniversary of Archie Griffins Heisman. Normally $79.99, it is currently on sale for $49.99. BUY IT HERE
Buckeye Film Breakdown will return soon with some fresh content.
