The Buckeyes confirmed the Seahawks wide receiver will be part of the spring showcase on April 18, highlighting Smith-Njigba’s NFL success, including a Super Bowl championship and the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award, as part of the event’s buildup.
For Seattle, the moment signals more than a productive season from a young receiver. Smith-Njigba has evolved into a marquee North American football figure—one franchises market around and opponents must game-plan for—marking him as a central face of both his team and its future.
In 2025, Smith-Njigba posted standout numbers with 119 receptions for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns, culminating in him earning the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year honor and signifying that he is no longer just a former first-round pick with upside.
That status is reflected in Seattle’s offseason moves, including a four-year, $168.6 million extension that the organization framed as making him a foundational piece and a cornerstone of the team’s present and future.
Ohio State benefits as well, given Smith-Njigba’s enduring visibility as an alumnus who can attract attention to the program while carrying championship credibility from the NFL back to the college ranks.
Overall, Smith-Njigba’s expanded brand power—spanning both the Seahawks and Buckeyes—represents a public checkpoint in his ascent as a defining figure for Seattle and a prominent success story for Ohio State’s NFL pipeline.
