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Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba to Declare for 2023 NFL Draft

Ohio State star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will not play in the College Football Playoff due to a lingering hamstring injury and will declare for the NFL Draft.

“I want to be out there competing with my brothers more than anything,” Smith-Njigba told ESPN’s Pete Thamel. “The decision to turn pro was made after I was unable to come back on multiple occasions during the season, and the doctors determined I would be unable to participate in the playoffs.”

Smith-Njigba was expected to play a key role for the Buckeyes entering this season after setting a Big Ten record with 1,606 receiving yards as a sophomore last year.