Who is Jaxon Smith-Njigba? Ohio State WR breaking out in Seahawks' Super Bowl run

It’s only fitting that “Wide Receiver U” is represented in the Super Bowl by one of the best receivers in the NFL this season.

Former Ohio State football receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba not only transformed into a superstar during the 2025 NFL season, but also has a clear argument as the best receiver in the league.

REQUIRED READING: Wide Receiver U? How Ohio State keeps producing first-round NFL WR talent

Fittingly, his final game of the 2025 NFL season will come on the biggest stage, as he and the Seattle Seahawks will go up against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60 on Sunday, Feb. 8, from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Smith-Njigba finished the 2025 regular season with 119 receptions (fourth-most in NFL), for 1,793 yards (first) and 10 touchdowns (tied for sixth) in his third NFL season.

Smith-Njigba has 13 catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns thus far during the Seahawks’ playoff run. He had a superb 10-catch, 153-yard performance against the St. Louis Rams in the NFC Championship game and made a key touchdown grab against the San Francisco 49ers.

Outside of a Nov. 30 dud where he had four receptions for 23 yards, Smith-Njigba had at least five catches for 72 yards in every game this season. If Seattle wins the Super Bowl over the Patriots, the man nicknamed “JSN” will be a crucial part of the offense.

Here’s what you need to know about Smith-Njigba:

Who is Jaxon Smith-Njigba?

Smith-Njigba is a third-year receiver for the Seattle Seahawks. He wears No. 11 for Seattle and is the No. 1 target for quarterback Sam Darnold (his 163 targets more than double the Seahawk’ next-leading receiver, Cooper Kupp, who has 70 on the season).

As a rookie, he played behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, finishing with 63 receptions (93 targets) for 628 yards and four touchdowns. He stepped into a bigger role in 2024 behind Metcalf and had 100 receptions (137 targets) for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns.

Following the 2024 season, the Seahawks released Lockett and traded Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers, making Smith-Njigba the No. 1 receiver. With the new responsibility, he thrived.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba high school

Smith-Njigba attended Rockwall High School in Rockwall, Texas. As a senior, he finished with 104 catches for 2,094 yards and 35 touchdowns en route to winning the Texas Gatorade Football Player of the Year award.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba recruiting

Smith-Njigba, part of the 2020 recruiting class, was the No. 29 overall player and No. 5 receiver, per 247Sports’ Composite ratings. He committed to Ohio State in November 2018, and was the Buckeyes‘ third highest-ranked player of the class, behind receiver Julian Fleming (No. 4 overall) and offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (No. 15).

Here’s a look at Smith-Njigba’s recruiting ranking out of high school:

• Stars: 5
• National rating: No. 29
• Position ranking: No. 5 WR
• State ranking: No. 5 in Texas

Jaxon Smith-Njigba stats at Ohio State

Smith-Njigba played three seasons with the Buckeyes from 2020-22, starting with a freshman season in which he was mostly a backup.

He exploded onto the scene as a sophomore with a 95-reception, 1,606-yard season, scoring nine touchdowns. The yardage set a new Ohio State single-season record. That year, he also broke Ohio State’s single-game reception record with a 15-catch, 240-yard performance against Nebraska on Nov. 6, 2021. He later set the FBS record with 347 yards receiving on 15 receptions in the 2022 Rose Bowl.

In his senior season, Smith-Njigba was slowed by a hamstring injury before he opted out of the College Football Playoff and declared for the NFL draft.

• 2020: 10 receptions for 49 yards and one touchdown
• 2021: 95 receptions for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns
• 2022: Five receptions for 43 yards

Jaxon Smith-Njigba NFL draft

• Round: First
• Selection: 20
• Team: Seattle Seahawks

Smith-Njigba was the 20th overall selection by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was the first receiver taken, and began a run on the position, followed by Quentin Johnston, Zay Flowers and Jordan Addison.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba NFL stats

Here’s a look at Smith-Njigba’s stats in his first three seasons in the NFL with the Seahawks:

• 2023: 63 receptions (93 targets) for 628 yards and four touchdowns
• 2024: 100 receptions (137 targets) for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns; Five rushes for 26 yards
• 2025: 119 receptions (163 targets) for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns; Seven rushes for 36 yards

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jaxon Smith-Njigba stats, NFL draft, more to know of former Ohio State WR