5 Ohio State stars who won’t be back and their replacements for 2023
By John Buhler
3. Pick Analysis. Jaxon Smith-Njigba. player. 812. Scouting Report. WR. Ohio State Buckeyes
Injuries derailed Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s quest of winning the Biletnikoff in 2022
Suffice to say, Ohio State did just fine without its new No. 1 wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for much of the season. He suffered a injury in the season opener vs. Notre Dame, and was never the same. Smith-Njigba looked to have taken the baton from his former Buckeyes teammates in Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, but his last season in Columbus was certainly a forgettable one for him.
Regardless, we all saw what he did as Ohio State’s No. 3 option two years ago backing up Olave and Wilson, as well as the sensational performance he put forth in the Rose Bowl victory over Utah last season. Even if there are some injury concerns about him heading into the draft, it is hard to envision a scenario where Smith-Njigba is not a first-round pick. He has already declared.
If there is any consolation prize to his frustrating year, it is that he will be going to a winning team.
Ohio State replacement for Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Jayden Ballard
Admittedly, this is a little harder to navigate. Ohio State played most of the year without Smith-Njigba. Marvin Harrison Jr. became the Buckeyes’ new No. 1. Emeka Egbuka also went over 1,000 yards on the season and Julian Fleming had his best season at Ohio State to date. With Harrison and Egbuka underclassmen and Fleming expected to return, keep an eye on Jayden Ballard then.
There are balls to be had in the Ohio State receiving corps for Ballard with Smith-Njigba going pro.