Senior Tackle: Jaxon Smith-Njigba focusing on football after busy summer
Ohio State verbal commit Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the country’s 10th-ranked wide receiver prospect in the Class of 2020, is set to embark on his final year of high school football.
A Rockwall (Texas) standout, Smith-Njigba committed to Ohio State last November, just days after his first visit with the Buckeyes. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder has risen up the national rankings following two huge seasons at Rockwall, collecting more than 3,000 yards receiving heading into his senior season. The talented prospect is sharing his senior campaign with Lettermen Row through a weekly journal that will focus on football, family and anything else on his mind as he prepares to enroll at Ohio State in January.
My senior season kicks off this week versus a Texas powerhouse, Highland Park. Playing in Texas under the Friday Night Lights is special. I’m going to miss it.
I’ve spent my summer preparing with a new quarterback, working out and knocking out summer school to prepare for early enrollment at Ohio State. As much as I’ll miss playing on Fridays, I’m ready for Saturdays. I’ve grown up watching College GameDay, loving college football and knowing one day that would be me.
It’s kind of crazy to think it’s almost here.
I had a busy summer, which was good. My favorite summer moment was flying to Charleston (S.C.) to visit my brother, Canaan, who plays minor league baseball for the Yankees. I hadn’t seen him in a while — and because of how things worked out, I still didn’t get the chance.
While I was getting off the plane, my phone rang: It was a last-minute invitation to participate in The Opening. I immediately told my brother, “Sorry man, but I’ve got to make this business decision.”
I turned back around. I never left the Charleston airport and my parents put me back on a plane to Dallas. I’ve got great parents, and they understood that I needed to seize the opportunity to show everyone what I could do.
I did that.
I got the nod for the receivers “Dream Team” from 247Sports.com along with my future teammates, and it’s always fun to meet guys from all over and participate against the best.
A week before going to The Opening, I was at Ohio State for a visit, and it was a lot of fun. It’s nice to hang with the other commits off of the football field and for us to grow our relationships. I’ve yet to experience the cold weather in Ohio, so I’m a little worried about that when I make my official visit. I should be OK though.
My focus right now is on my game this weekend and doing my part to help my team win a state championship this year. And I need to finish strong in the classroom.
Thanks again for reading everyone. I hope you’ll follow along all season.
Follow along during the journey of Jaxon Smith-Njigba every week at Lettermen Row or follow the future Ohio State wide receiver on Twitter.
