Seahawks WR Smith-Njigba's Ohio State Cleats Were Too Big

Seattle equipment director says smaller cleat size has helped prevent hamstring issues

Apr. 18, 2026 at 10:04am

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting a football player's cleats and feet, broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy blue, forest green, and metallic silver, conveying the importance of proper equipment for injury prevention.The Seahawks' equipment staff's focus on proper cleat fit has helped keep star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba healthy and on the field.Seattle Today

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who had a prolific career at Ohio State, was wearing cleats that were too big for his feet during his college days. The Seahawks' director of equipment, Erik Kennedy, revealed that Smith-Njigba wore a size 12 cleat at Ohio State, but has since been fitted for a size 10.5 cleat, which Kennedy says has helped prevent the hamstring issues Smith-Njigba dealt with in college.

Why it matters

Proper cleat fit is an important factor in preventing injuries for football players, especially those with a history of hamstring issues like Smith-Njigba. The Seahawks' attention to detail in getting their players the right equipment could give them an edge in keeping their star receiver healthy and productive.

The details

In 2022, Smith-Njigba left Ohio State's Week 1 win over Notre Dame with a hamstring injury and was ultimately sidelined for the rest of the season. The Seahawks' director of equipment, Erik Kennedy, said that in college, Smith-Njigba was wearing a size 12 cleat, but with the Seahawks, he's been fitted for a size 10.5 cleat, which Kennedy says has helped prevent the hamstring issues.

  • In 2022, Smith-Njigba left Ohio State's Week 1 win over Notre Dame with a hamstring injury.
  • Before Ohio State's appearance in the Peach Bowl, the school announced that Smith-Njigba would not return to the field to prepare for the NFL draft.

The players

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

A wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks who had a prolific career at Ohio State, setting program records for most receiving yards and receptions in a single game.

Erik Kennedy

The director of equipment for the Seattle Seahawks.

John Schneider

The general manager of the Seattle Seahawks.

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What they’re saying

“Jaxon Smith-Njigba, you were talking about, in college, he was wearing a size 12, had hamstring issues and things like that. Gets here, he's a 10 and a half.”

— Erik Kennedy, Director of Equipment, Seattle Seahawks

“It's helped him.”

— Erik Kennedy, Director of Equipment, Seattle Seahawks

What’s next

The Seahawks will continue to monitor Smith-Njigba's cleat size and overall equipment to ensure he remains healthy and productive throughout the upcoming NFL season.

The takeaway

Proper equipment fitting, especially for players with a history of injuries, can make a significant difference in preventing future issues and helping athletes perform at their best. The Seahawks' attention to detail in this area could give them an advantage in keeping their star receiver on the field.