Could WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba return to Ohio State football in 2022? Ryan Day is hopeful
Jaxon Smith-Njigba didn't make the trip for Ohio State vs. Penn State. He's only had limited playing time against Notre Dame, Toledo and Iowa.
But Ohio State coach Ryan Day is hopeful that Smith-Njigba will return eventually.
"Absolutely," Day said when asked if he's hopeful that Smith-Njigba could return either later in the regular season or in the postseason.
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Day said he's confident Ohio State can achieve its goals with the depth its built up without Smith-Njigba.
"I think we can," Day said. "But at the same time, I'd love to have him back, as I'm sure you can imagine. But this team is working hard and that's why we build depth. You just don't know, and I'm sure that there's more adversity coming our way. We got to rely on leadership. We're in November now, so you just never know what's coming."
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Passing game coordinator and wide receiver coach Brian Hartline echoed Day, saying he has a "huge level of confidence" that Smith-Njigba will return.
Smith-Njigba's father, Maada Smith-Njigba, told The Dispatch on Tuesday that the best-case scenario for Jaxon's return is to play against Michigan on Nov. 26. Otherwise, his return would likely be for a College Football Playoff semifinal if the Buckeyes qualify.
Smith-Njigba has been sidelined for most of the 2022 season after suffering a hamstring injury against Notre Dame. He's been limited to five catches for 43 yards against the Fighting Irish, Toledo and Iowa after recording 1,606 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 95 receptions in 2021.
After Day said Smith-Njigba was on a "pitch count" against Iowa, the Ohio State coach said heading into the Buckeyes' win against the Nittany Lions that he would have his receiver back.
Smith-Njigba has eligibility remaining, but is viewed as one of the top options in the 2023 NFL draft.
In Smith-Njigba's absence, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka have been Ohio State's leading receivers, bringing in a combined 95 catches for 1,571 yards and 17 touchdowns. Julian Fleming has also added six touchdown receptions.
Ohio State football's 2022 schedule
Sept. 3: Ohio State 21, Notre Dame 10
Sept. 10: Ohio State 45, Arkansas State 12
Sept. 17: Ohio State 77, Toledo 21
Sept. 24: Ohio State 52, Wisconsin 21
Oct. 1: Ohio State 49, Rutgers 10
Oct. 8: Ohio State 49, Michigan State 20
Oct. 22: Ohio State 54, Iowa 10
Oct. 29: Ohio State 44, Penn State 31
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ryan Day hopeful for Jaxon Smith-Njigba's return to Ohio State in 2022
