INDIANAPOLIS – Jaxon Smith-Njigba laughed the nervous laughter of someone put on the spot. It’s not every day someone asks if you agree you can become the best wide receiver in college football history.
“It probably does sound crazy to a lot of people,” the Ohio State junior said. “But we’ve always talked like that.”
“We” would be Smith-Njigba and his older brother Canaan, a 23-year-old outfielder with the Pittsburgh Pirates and self-proclaimed college football talent evaluator.
During the spring, before his June call-up to the Pirates, Canaan held court in a hallway at Victory Field as a member of the Indianapolis Indians. Standing two football fields from where his 20-year-old brother would be taking questions three months later during Big Ten media days, Canaan offered a bold prediction:
“Only a few people know what (Jaxon) is going to do this season,” Canaan said. “It’s going to be crazy. Historic. He’s probably going to be the greatest receiver ever after this season.”
You mean greatest at Ohio State?
“In college football – ever.”
That’s bold talk from the big leaguer.
Jaxon’s reaction? A chuckle. A smile. But no denial.
“You know, it’s an older brother (saying it), but I feel like it’s real talk.”
Boom.
Smith-Njigba is confident, not cocky. Big difference. He does not trumpet his talent, does not blow his own horn, but knows he is capable of making beautiful music on the field.
Mostly, the native Texan is competitive.
“One of the more competitive young men I’ve been around,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said.
How does the competitiveness play out? What does it look like?
“I hate to lose and just want to be the best at everything,” Smith-Njigba explained. “Even when I’m not, I think I am.”
Take golf, for instance. He is just taking up the game but already sees improvement.
“I’m trying it. I actually was just on the simulator hitting the best swings of my life,” he said.
Greg Norman on line 1?
Or listen to him dispute the claims of his quarterback and good friend, C.J. Stroud, who contends Smith-Njigba lost nine consecutive games of H.O.R.S.E. to him on the basketball court.
