Getty Image
A former Ohio State star is coming to the defense of an old teammate. Garrett Wilson was seen defending current Buckeyes wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba from recent criticism about his status for the postseason.
NFL draft analyst Todd McShay was critical of JSN earlier this week for opting out of the upcoming Peach Bowl. While Smith-Njigba cites a hamstring injury for his missing the College Football Playoff matchup, McShay claims that the pass catcher is actually healthy enough to play.
Rather, McShay believes that the receiver is saving himself for the upcoming draft, where he’s projected to go in the first round of picks. Jaxon Smith-Njigba posted a message on Twitter to announce his intention of entering the NFL Draft on Monday.
Love Go bucks pic.twitter.com/VHx8oUKPH4
— JSN (@jaxon_smith1) December 5, 2022
In that note to the fans, Smith-Njigba states that he’s not been cleared to play this postseason.
“After consulting with my doctors, it has been determined that I will not be able to participate in the playoffs… I have decided to focus on getting 100% healthy and committing to the next chapter in my football journey.”
After seeing his former teammate being trashed by the media, New York Jets rookie Garrett Wilson bit back.
Wilson, who was a first round pick himself, posted a message on Twitter to sarcastically jab at McShay for his recent diagnosis of Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s injury.
“Damn, Dr. Mcshay… JSN got a big heart, you don’t know the man. Not to mention, don’t speak on what you don’t know. Simple. Sorry to see this.”
Wilson played with JSN last year before opting out of the Rose Bowl at the end of the year. That move was done to protect his first-round draft stock, giving Smith-Njigba an opportunity to show out (15 REC/347 YD/3 TD).
Despite missing the Playoff, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is rated as the No. 22 prospect in this year’s class. We’ll see if his positioning slips because of the opt out as McShay suggests.