Rockwall superstar wide receiver, Southlake Carroll head coach win 2019 Landry Awards
Rockwall senior Jaxon Smith-Njigba has put together not only one of the best individual seasons in Texas high school football history, but one of the all-time greatest careers.
The 5-star Ohio State commit was named Gatorade Texas Player of the Year on Friday and adds his second award in a week with the 2019 Landry Award player of the year on Monday night at The Hope Center.
The Landry Award, named after legendary Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry, honors the top high school football player in North Texas who demonstrates positive character and leadership attributes. The Landry Award is in its 10th year.
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“It means everything. It’s a great award and an achievement,” said the Rockwall wide receiver.
The other finalists included Marvin Mims Jr. (Frisco Lone Star), Drew Sanders (Denton Ryan), Chris Thompson Jr. (Duncanville) and Chandler Morris (Highland Park).
“Could’ve picked any of these other four guys, unique talents, great players and I’m a fan of all four guys. It’s a humbling experience and I thank God,” Smith-Njigba said.
Added Rockwall coach Rodney Webb, “What a tremendous group of guys up here tonight. We’re really proud of Jaxon. He’s been a leader for us, on the field, off the field and he’s done a lot to promote the community of Rockwall and just couldn’t be a better guy to receive this award.”
Smith-Njigba and the Yellowjackets (12-2) are playing their best football as they face Duncanville (14-0) in the Class 6A Division I state semifinals at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at McKinney Stadium.
It’s Rockwall’s first trip to the semis since 1987.
Smith-Njigba has 104 catches for 2,094 yards and 34 touchdowns. He has also rushed for four scores. He had 243 yards of total offense and six TDs in a 59-42 win over Prosper in the regional final.
He needs 62 yards for the all-time Texas career receiving yards record.
Southlake Carroll head coach Riley Dodge was named coach of the year. Other finalists included Carlos Lynn (Cedar Hill), Michael Odle (Lewisville), Marty Secord (Frisco Wakeland) and Bob Wager (Arlington Martin).
“To have my name on an award that has Tom Landry associated with it, how he treated his coaches, how he treated his players, very humble with integrity and did it the right way, it’s an absolute honor,” said Dodge, who just finished his second season at Carroll.
The Dragons lost to Duncanville in the regional final, 49-35, but finish 13-1 for the second straight season under Dodge, who starred as the Dragons’ quarterback, winning a state title in 2006.
Carroll running back T.J. McDaniel won the player of the year award last season.
Other past winners include Johnathan Gray (Aledo), Myles Garrett (Arlington Martin), Jett Duffey (Mansfield Lake Ridge), Kennedy Brooks (Mansfield), Kyler Murray (Allen) and John Stephen Jones (Highland Park).
This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 6:00 AM.
