ESPN’s Todd McShay is going through criticism from Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s household for suggesting the NFL prospect was placing his skilled aspirations above the Buckeyes’ upcoming Faculty Soccer Playoff semifinal sport towards top-ranked Georgia.
Smith-Njigba introduced earlier this week that he wouldn’t play within the all-important sport towards the Bulldogs on December 31 whereas he continues to rehabilitate a leg harm and put together for the 2023 NFL draft. The AP Preseason All-American was harm within the Buckeyes’ opener towards Notre Dame and performed in simply two different video games. Particulars on the seriousness of his harm weren’t disclosed by means of the season.
On Monday, McShay claimed NFL scouts advised him that Smith-Njigba is ‘wholesome sufficient to play and he is defending himself for the draft,’ solely to be rebuked by the receiver’s household, together with older brother Canaan, a Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder.
ESPN’s Todd McShay is going through criticism from Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s household for suggesting the NFL prospect was placing his skilled aspirations above the Buckeyes’ upcoming Faculty Soccer Playoff semifinal sport towards top-ranked Georgia
Smith-Njigba introduced earlier this week that he wouldn’t play within the all-important sport towards the Bulldogs on December 31 whereas he continues to rehabilitate a leg harm and put together for the 2023 NFL draft. The AP Preseason All-American was harm within the Buckeyes’ opener towards Notre Dame and performed in simply two different video games. Particulars on the seriousness of his harm weren’t disclosed by means of the season
‘If he was wholesome he can be enjoying,’ Canaan tweeted. ‘Like what?? We not defending our ‘Draft inventory’ they know who JSN is when wholesome. You sorry @McShay13 and so unsuitable to be on television making these false claims.’
Smith-Njigba’s father, Maada, additionally weighed in: ‘Being [with] my son yesterday for his first day of rehab and seeing his limitations for myself gave me peace [with] our households (sic) option to get my son wholesome. Encouraging him [to] play can be egocentric and abusive. I am at peace [because] I do know he is in the correct arms [for] restoration.’
McShay did not solely report NFL scouts’ believes that Smith-Njigba is wholesome, however went on to say that league groups look down on gamers who skip bowl video games to protect their draft inventory.
Pittsburgh Pirates middle fielder Canaan Smith-Njigba (pictured) is the older brother of Jaxon
Pirates middle fielder Canaan Smith-Njigba ripped the ESPN Draft insider over the report
Smith-Njigba’s father, Maada, additionally weighed in, defending the household’s resolution
‘I’ve bought information for each prospect on the market: NFL groups know,’ McShay stated Monday. ‘They know what you had for lunch final Thursday. They’re going to know in case you are wholesome or not. And in case you are wholesome sufficient to play, it’s worthwhile to be on the market along with your teammates and play.
‘I am not saying it’ll harm his draft inventory… however the distinction is with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, he is sort of a late-first, early-second rounder. He is an incredible school participant, nice slot receiver. However he has some drops, would not have distinctive dimension, would not have distinctive pace. There have been some issues coming into the 12 months, after the good season he had, scouts have been pointing to that stated, ‘I do not assume he is a lock to go top-15, top-20.’
‘Now the truth that he is not enjoying actually is not going to assist these odds.’
Smith-Njigba introduced his resolution to enter the NFL draft earlier Monday, stressing that he tried to play, however wasn’t wholesome sufficient.
‘I did every thing potential to place myself able to get again on the sphere a number of instances this 12 months,’ Smith-Njigba wrote. ‘I needed it as a lot, if no more than anybody else. After consulting with my medical doctors, it has been decided that I won’t be able to take part within the playoffs.’
Smith-Njigba set an all-time bowl sport document with 347 receiving yards within the 2022 Rose Bowl win over Utah. He additionally broke the Rose Bowl document with 15 receptions and tied the sport document with three touchdowns
Ohio State coach Ryan Day didn’t criticize Smith- Njigba for his resolution to take a seat out the playoff sport.
‘I wish to thank Jaxon for all he has performed for our Ohio State program,’ Ohio State coach Ryan Day stated. ‘He has had such a serious influence right here in Columbus, on and off the sphere, in a comparatively brief time period. Everyone knows he has a really brilliant future forward of him and all of us help him as he strikes ahead together with his profession.’
The Buckeyes play Georgia in a CPF semifinal within the Peach Bowl on December 31. Receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. (1,157 yards, 12 TDs) and Emeka Egbuka (1,039 yards, 9 touchdowns) assumed bigger roles within the passing sport with Smith-Njigba sidelined.
The junior from Rockwall, Texas, set faculty data in 2021 for receptions (95) and receiving yards (1,606). His yardage whole broke a 20-year-old Huge Ten Convention document.
Smith-Njigba set an all-time bowl sport document with 347 receiving yards within the 2022 Rose Bowl win over Utah. He additionally broke the Rose Bowl document with 15 receptions and tied the sport document with three touchdowns.
Smith-Njigba introduced his resolution to enter the NFL draft earlier Monday, stressing that he tried to play, however wasn’t wholesome sufficient
