Jaxon Smith-Njigba just capped off a breakout NFL season with the ultimate prize - a Super Bowl ring. And in doing so, he’s become the first player from the Ryan Day era at Ohio State to win it all on football’s biggest stage.
The Seattle Seahawks’ 29-13 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX wasn’t just a team triumph - it was a crowning moment for Smith-Njigba, who’s coming off a sensational third season in the league. The former Buckeye wideout didn’t just show up this year - he owned it.
With 119 catches, 1,793 yards, and 10 touchdowns, he was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year. Now, he adds a Super Bowl ring to that already glittering resume, becoming the 34th Ohio State alum to reach that mountaintop.
For Ryan Day and the Buckeyes, this is a milestone. Smith-Njigba isn’t just another talented player making it in the pros - he’s the first true superstar from Day’s tenure to deliver at the highest level. And given the kind of talent pipeline Ohio State has built, he’s probably not the last.
But while JSN’s success is a feather in Day’s cap, it also highlights the impact of another key figure in Columbus: Brian Hartline. As Ohio State’s wide receivers coach and later offensive coordinator, Hartline was instrumental in developing Smith-Njigba and a long line of elite receivers. Now, with Hartline off to take over as head coach at USF, the question becomes: Can Ohio State keep that wide receiver factory humming?
The short answer? Yes - and here’s why.
Mark Pantoni remains the engine behind Ohio State’s recruiting machine. He and Day have built one of the most aggressive and effective talent acquisition operations in college football.
They’re not just landing five-star players - they’re landing five-star players who fit their system and have a clear path to the NFL. That combination of development and opportunity is what keeps the Buckeyes at the top of the college football food chain.
Day, for his part, continues to be a magnet for elite quarterbacks. From Justin Fields to C.J.
Stroud, and now whoever’s next, Day has proven he can not only recruit top-tier signal callers but elevate their game to a pro-ready level. And when you pair an NFL-caliber quarterback with some of the best wide receiver talent in the country, you get the kind of production that turns heads - both in college and at the next level.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the perfect case study. He played with Fields and Stroud, developed under Hartline, and thrived in a system that showcased his strengths.
Now, he’s a Super Bowl champion and the reigning Offensive Player of the Year. That’s the kind of success story recruits notice - and chase.
Of course, the departure of Hartline is a real loss. You don’t just replace a coach who consistently churned out NFL-ready receivers.
But Ohio State may have found a strong answer in Cortez Hankton. The former LSU wide receivers coach brings serious credentials, especially from that historic 2023 season in Baton Rouge.
He’s respected, he’s proven, and he knows how to attract - and develop - elite talent.
The key now is making sure the offensive scheme continues to put those players in position to shine. If the next play-caller can keep the production rolling and the spotlight on Columbus, the Buckeyes won’t miss a beat. The talent is still coming, the infrastructure is still strong, and the blueprint that produced Jaxon Smith-Njigba is still very much in place.
So while Hartline’s move to Tampa is a shift, it’s not a derailment. Ohio State’s wide receiver legacy is alive and well - and with JSN now wearing a ring, it just got a little shinier.