Todd McShay Claims An Ohio State Star Is Skipping The Playoff To Protect His Draft Stock

Jaxson Smith-Njigba prepares for a game at Ohio State.

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Todd McShay made a claim Tuesday night about a potential first round NFL Draft pick that sent waves throughout the college football world. The analyst suggests that Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is becoming one of, if not the first player to opt out of the playoff.

Smith-Njigba announced on social media Monday of his plans to sit out of the Buckeyes’ Peach Bowl matchup against TCU. In that message, he noted a hamstring injury that’s kept him sidelined for the majority of the season.

“I did everything possible to put myself in a position to get back on the field multiple times this season. I wanted it as much, if not more than anyone else.

“After consulting with my doctors, it has been determined that I will not be able to participate in the playoff… I have decided to focus on getting 100% healthy.”

That tweet seemed to put an end to any debate about the wideout’s reasoning for sitting out, but there were still murmurs that Smith-Njigba had prioritized his future over a chance at a national championship.

NFL insider Todd McShay was the latest, and maybe most notable person to suggest this. While talking about the upcoming 2023 Draft on ESPN, he insinuated that Jaxon Smith-Njigba is healthy enough to play in the bowl game but is choosing not to do so.

“NFL scouts would love to [Jaxon Smith-Njigba] play, and there are a lot of reports from NFL scouts that I’ve talked to that said he’s healthy enough to play but he’s protecting himself for the draft. I’ve got news for every prospect out there. NFL teams know… They’re going to know whether you’re healthy or not, and if you’re healthy enough to play, you need to be out there with your teammates and playing.”

The criticism starkly contrasts Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s reasoning for sitting out, and it was quickly met with social media reaction.

One person said, “Todd McShay is wrong. JSN is not ‘healthy.’ (Unless we’re talking about 75% at best.) Plus, at any time, his hammy could flare up again and keep him out of the combine. This argument is flat stupid.”

Another college football fan wrote, “Todd McShay has zero credibility when it comes to the health of Jaxon Smith-Njigba. I’m going to take the word of the player himself, his brother, his mother and uh… the doctors that said he wasn’t medically cleared to play.”

McShay is taking some immediate heat on his comments about Jaxon Smith-Njigba. It will be interesting to see if the wide receiver has a response to the rumors about his health.

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