COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Jaxon Smith-Njigba was one of the Ohio State receivers who weren't getting a lot of attention at this time last year. All the national buzz was about NFL prospects Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson.

Smith-Njigba, the starting slot receiver for the Buckeyes as a sophomore last year, eventually stepped out of the shadow of the more established receivers to pace the Buckeyes with 95 catches and 1,606 yards.

With Olave and Wilson sitting out the Rose Bowl and looking ahead to the NFL draft, Smith-Njigba became the game's offensive MVP, catching 15 passes for a postseason-record 347 receiving yards and three touchdowns in Ohio State's 48-45 shootout win over Utah.