Jaxon Smith-Njigba Compared Jeremiah Smith to LeBron James 3 Days Before He Broke 2 OSU Records in Single Game

Seahawks WR and reigning NFL offensive player, Jaxon Smith-Njigba believes Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith is special.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba Compared Jeremiah Smith to LeBron James 3 Days Before He Broke 2 OSU Records in Single Game

Jeremiah Smith and LeBron James inside the circle (Image via Sports Illustrated/IMAGO)

Ohio State has produced great wide receivers throughout its history. A third of the leading NFL receivers are Buckeye alums, including the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, Jaxon Smith-Njigba. But even the Seattle Seahawks star believes Jeremiah Smith is a special talent.

Ahead of the Buckeyes’ massive BIG 10 clash against Iowa at Kinnick Stadium, JSN joined Kyle Long and Russell Wilson on CBS Sports’ Set Hut program.

JSN name-dropped Cris Carter and Garrett Wilson among the top graduates of the Buckeyes. However, Smith’s legacy may have surpassed everyone who has come before him. He said:

The expectation—we’re all looking forward to [him coming to the NFL]. He’s like LeBron James, so to speak, and the pressure’s on him, but he seems to respond to it week after week and handle it with class and maturity.

Smith won a national title during his freshman year. He combined for 163 receptions for 2558 and 27 touchdowns in his first two seasons of college football. Just three weeks into the 2026 season, he surpassed Michael Jenkins to become the all-time receiving-yards leader.

On Saturday, Smith overtook both Chris Olave and Emeka Egbuka to claim the reception and touchdown crowns. After 33 games as a Buckeye, Jeremiah Smith has 207 catches, 3381 yards, and 36 touchdowns. He is on course to cross 2000 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Smith-Njigba, by contrast, had a very different experience in college. After bursting onto the scene in 2021 with 95 receptions, 1,606 yards, and 9 touchdowns, JSN hurt his hamstring in Week three the following year. It forced him to miss the remainder of the campaign. Despite that, the Seahawks selected JSN 20th overall in 2023.

During his rookie year, he played as the understudy to DK Metcalf. He caught 63 passes for 628 yards and 4 touchdowns. His numbers improved the following season—100 receptions (tied for the franchise record with Tyler Lockett), 1,130 yards, and 6 touchdowns. He also had his first Pro Bowl selection.

Ahead of the 2025 season, the Seahawks traded Metcalf to the Steelers. JSN became WR1, and he repaid the club with 119 receptions for 1793 yards (the league’s best) and 10 touchdowns. Smith-Njigba earned his second Pro Bowl and first All-Pro selections and won the league’s best offensive player award. He finished in the top 5 for the league MVP award.

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Jaxon Smith-Njigba is on a historic run

The Seahawks won the Super Bowl in February by defeating the New England Patriots. They opened the 2026 campaign with a victory over the Patriots, followed by the demolition of rivals, the Arizona Cardinals.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba Compared Jeremiah Smith to LeBron James 3 Days Before He Broke 2 OSU Records in Single Game
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Image via IMAGO)

However, last week, in the local rivalry game against Washington, the Seahawks suffered a shock defeat to the Commanders without several key players, including QB Jayden Daniels. Veteran signal caller Marcus Mariota stole the show with 3 touchdowns.

Regardless of the outcome, Smith-Njigba recorded 128 yards and 2 touchdowns. In fact, he has had at least 120 yards and one touchdown in each of the first three games. JSN leads the league with 27 receptions, 405 receiving yards, and 6 touchdowns. At this pace, he can shatter last year’s total and claim another All-Pro selection.

Up next, the Seahawks host the winless Los Angeles Chargers at Lumen Field. Seattle leads the series 27-25.

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