JuJu Smith-Schuster

JuJu Smith-Schuster
No. 19 – Pittsburgh Steelers
Position: Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1996-11-22) November 22, 1996
Long Beach, California
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight: 215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school: Long Beach Polytechnic
(Long Beach, California)
College: USC
NFL Draft: 2017 / Round: 2 / Pick: 62
Career history
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 5, 2018
Receptions: 93
Receiving yards: 1,367
Yards per Reception: 14.7
Receiving touchdowns: 9
Total return yards: 240
Return touchdowns: 1
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

John Sherman "JuJu" Smith-Schuster (born November 22, 1996) is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at USC.

Early years

Smith attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, California. He played wide receiver and safety for the Jackrabbits football team.[1] Smith was rated by Rivals.com as a five-star recruit and was ranked as the second-best safety in his class and the 24th-best player overall.[2] He committed to the University of Southern California (USC) to play college football under then-head coach Steve Sarkisian.[3] His initial decision was to attend Oregon and told his mother that was going to be where he would play, but then announced he was going to USC during his televised commitment.[4]

College career

Smith-Schuster earned immediate playing time as a true freshman in 2014.[5][6] In his first career game, he had four receptions for 123 yards against Fresno State.[7] Against the Washington State Cougars, he had six receptions for 74 yards and three touchdowns.[8] He finished the 2014 season with 54 receptions for 724 yards and five touchdowns.[9] As a sophomore in 2015, Smith-Schuster played 14 games with a career-high 1,454 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.[10] As a junior in 2016, he played 13 games with 914 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.[11] After the 2016 season, Smith-Schuster decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2017 NFL Draft.[12]

Statistics

YearTeamGGSReceivingRushingKick returnDefense
RecYdsAvgTDAttYdsAvgTDKrYdsAvgTDSoloAstTotal
2014USC 13135472413.45231.501113212.00415
2015USC 1414891,45416.310144.0045112.80101
2016USC 13137091413.1105275.40122.00202
Career40402133,09214.5258344.301618511.60718

Source:[13]

Professional career

Smith-Schuster received an invitation to the NFL Combine and performed nearly all of the combine drills and positional drills except for the three-cone drill and short shuttle. He opted to attend USC's Pro Day and performed the short shuttle and three-cone drill. In addition, he performed the vertical and broad jump and improved his combine number on both.[14] The Dallas Cowboys were the only team to hold a private workout with Smith-Schuster and showed heavy interest in him.[15] He was ranked as the fourth best wide receiver in the draft by Sports Illustrated and ESPN, and ninth by NFLDraftScout.com and draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.[16][17][18]

External video
Smith-Schuster's NFL Combine Workout
Juju Smith-Schuster runs the 40-yard dash
Juju Smith-Schuster bench presses 15 reps
Pre-draft measurables
Ht Wt Arm length Hand size 40-yard dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert jump Broad BP
6 ft 1 in
(1.85 m)		 215 lb
(98 kg)		 32 7⁄8 in
(0.84 m)		 10 1⁄2 in
(0.27 m)		 4.54 s 1.55 s 2.65 s 4.18 s 6.93 s 32 1⁄2 in
(0.83 m)		 10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)		 15 reps
All values from NFL Combine/USC's Pro Day[19][14]

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Smith-Schuster in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.[20] He was the youngest player selected in the 2017 Draft and was the 13th USC wide receiver drafted in the last 15 years.[21]

External video
Steelers draft Smith-Schuster 62nd overall
Smith-Schuster emotional after draft call

2017

On May 17, 2017, the Steelers signed him to a four-year, $4.19 million contract with $1.84 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.19 million.[22]

Smith-Schuster entered training camp competing with Sammie Coates, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Eli Rogers, Marcus Tucker, and Justin Hunter to be the Steelers' third option at wide receiver on their depth chart. He was named the sixth wide receiver on the Steelers' depth chart to begin the regular season behind Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Heyward-Bey, Rogers, and Hunter.[23]

He made his professional regular season debut in the Pittsburgh Steelers' season-opening victory over the Cleveland Browns and was credited with his first career start as a kick returner, returning one kick for four yards.[24] When Smith-Schuster made his debut, he was the youngest player in the NFL.[25] In Week 2, Smith-Schuster recorded his first career reception and caught his first career touchdown on a four-yard pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, as the Steelers defeated the Minnesota Vikings by a score of 26–9.[26] During the Vikings game, Smith-Schuster became the youngest NFL player to score a touchdown since running back Andy Livingston in 1964. He also became the second-youngest player in NFL history to catch a touchdown behind Arnie Herber, who was 60 days younger than Smith-Schuster when he caught a touchdown in 1930.[27] During Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Smith-Schuster caught his third touchdown pass of the season, a 31-yard reception, becoming the first player in NFL history to score three touchdowns before the age of 21.[28] On October 29, 2017, Smith-Schuster made his first career start at wide receiver and had a breakout performance with a season-high seven receptions for 193 receiving yards and scored a 97-yard touchdown during a 20–15 victory on NBC Sunday Night Football against the Detroit Lions. The 97-yard touchdown reception was also the longest pass play in team history and the longest touchdown reception in the league during the 2017 season.[29][30] Smith-Schuster started at wide receiver in place of Martavis Bryant, who was benched by head coach Mike Tomlin after publicly asking for a trade.[31][32] His 193 yards was second only to Jimmy Orr's 205 in 1958 for the most receiving yards by a Steelers rookie and the most by any NFL rookie since Mike Evans' 209 in Week 11 of 2014.[33] He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his Week 8 performance.[34] On December 5, 2017, Smith-Schuster was suspended for one game after he delivered a blindsided block to Cincinnati Bengals' linebacker Vontaze Burfict in Week 13.[35] In Week 17, he had a 96-yard kick return for a touchdown and also caught nine passes for 143 yards and one touchdown during a 28–24 victory against the Cleveland Browns. With his performance in Week 17, Smith-Schuster became the youngest player in NFL history to have over 1,000 all-purpose yards.[36] He was also named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his kick return touchdown.[37] He finished the season with 58 receptions for 917 yards and seven touchdowns, with the latter two statistics leading all rookies.[38][39] He was named the Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year for 2017.[40]

The Pittsburgh Steelers finished first in the AFC North with a 13–3 record and earned a first round bye. On January 14, 2018, Smith-Schuster started in his first career playoff game and made three receptions for five yards and a late touchdown in their 45–42 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.[41]

2018

On January 18, 2018, the Pittsburgh Steelers promoted quarterback's coach Randy Fichtner to offensive coordinator after they opted not to renew former offensive coordinator Todd Haley's contract.[42] Smith-Schuster entered training camp slated as a starting wide receiver after the Steelers traded Martavis Bryant to the Oakland Raiders for a third round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Head coach Mike Tomlin named Smith-Schuster a starting wide receiver to begin the regular season, alongside Antonio Brown.[43] Smith-Schuster started his second professional season strong with nine receptions for 116 receiving yards in the 21–21 tie with the Cleveland Browns in the season opener.[44] He followed that performance up with a career-high 13 receptions for 121 receiving yards and a touchdown in a 42–37 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.[45]

Career statistics

Legend
Led the league
NFL career statistics
SeasonReceivingRushingFumbles
YearTeamGPGSTgtRecYardsAvgTDLngAttYardsAvgTDLngFumLost
2017PIT 147795891715.8797T-----00
Career147795891715.8797T-----00
Playoffs
NFL postseason statistics
SeasonReceivingRushingFumbles
YearTeamGPGSTgtRecYardsAvgTDLngAttYardsAvgTDLngFumLost
2017PIT 115351.714–––––00
Totals115351.714-----00

Personal life

Smith-Schuster is of partial Samoan descent and was raised in Long Beach, California. He is the second-eldest of seven children and identifies as a Christian.[46] His cousin is current USC Trojans' football assistant coach Johnny Nansen. His nickname "JuJu" came from his aunt when he was a few months old. She initially called him "John-John" before opting to call him "JuJu" instead.[47] He has one biological sister named So'omalo and their father was not active in their lives. His stepfather, Lawrence Schuster, was introduced to his mother, Sammy (Toa), when JuJu was four years old.[47] Smith-Schuster legally hyphenated his last name after he turned 18, adding Schuster in honor of his stepfather.[48] Smith-Schuster states he grew up a fan of USC and looked up to Marqise Lee, Robert Woods, and Nelson Agholor.[49]

In February 2018, Smith-Schuster announced a partnership with the popular gaming group FaZe Clan to sell merchandise.[50] Smith-Schuster now has a YouTube channel using his full name that posts Call of Duty, Fortnite Battle Royale, and daily life videos. He has garnered over 500,000 subscribers on this channel.[51]

References

  1. ↑ "JuJu Smith and the Life of a Five-Star Recruit". Press Telegram. 2013-12-29. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  2. ↑ "Rivals.com". sports.yahoo.com.
  3. ↑ "Juju Smith picks USC after planning to commit to Oregon as late as Monday". Oregon Live.
  4. ↑ Klein, Gary (2015-11-17). "USC's JuJu Smith-Schuster to face Oregon program he nearly joined". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2017-11-14.
  5. ↑ "USC's JuJu Smith is mature beyond his years". Orange County Register. 2014-10-24. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  6. ↑ "Playful USC WR JuJu Smith soaks it all in". Orange County Register. 2014-12-20. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  7. ↑ "USC freshman WR JuJu Smith dazzles in No. 9 – FOX Sports". September 1, 2014.
  8. ↑ Klein, Gary (November 16, 2014). "USC-UCLA game gives receiver JuJu Smith another opportunity to grow" – via LA Times.
  9. ↑ "JuJu Smith-Schuster 2014 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
  10. ↑ "JuJu Smith-Schuster 2015 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2017-11-13.
  11. ↑ "JuJu Smith-Schuster 2016 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2017-11-13.
  12. ↑ "Smith-Schuster leaving Trojans for NFL draft". ESPN.com.
  13. ↑ "Juju Smith-Schuster". sports-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  14. 1 2 "*Juju Smith-Schuster, DS #9 WR, USC". nfldraftscout.com. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Walter Football: 2017 NFL Draft Prospect Visits/Meetings". walterfootball.com. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  16. ↑ Chris Burke (April 24, 2017). "2017 NFL draft rankings: Top prospects by position". si.com. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  17. ↑ Jeff Legwold (April 22, 2017). "Ranking 2017 draft's top 100 players". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  18. ↑ Mel Kiper Jr. (March 15, 2017). "Top 10 prospects at each position for 2017 NFL draft". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  19. ↑ "NFL Draft Profile: Juju Smith-Schuster". Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  20. ↑ Orr, Conor. "Pittsburgh Steelers select WR Juju Smith-Schuster". NFL.com. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  21. ↑ "JuJu becomes 1st player to score 3 TD's before 21st birthday". 247sports. Oct 23, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Sportrac.com: Juju Smith-Schuster contract". sportrac.com. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Ourlads.com: Pittsburgh Steeler's depth chart". ourlads.com. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns - September 10th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  25. ↑ Adamski, Chris (September 30, 2017). "Being NFL's youngest player doesn't stop Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster". triblive.com. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  26. ↑ "NFL Game Center: Week 2-2017: Minnesota Vikings @ Pittsburgh Steelers". NFL.com. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  27. ↑ "Elias Says: September 18, 2017". espn.com. September 18, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  28. ↑ DeArdo, Bryan (October 23, 2017). "JuJu becomes 1st player to score 3 TD's before 21st birthday". 247sports.com. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  29. ↑ Dulac, Gerry (October 30, 2017). "JuJu Smith-Schuster's historic 97-yard score stands out in Steelers' win". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  30. ↑ "NFL Player Stats - Longest Receptions". teamrankings.com. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  31. ↑ Bergman, Jeremy. "JuJu Smith-Schuster shines as Steelers stuff Lions". NFL. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  32. ↑ Patra, Kevin. "What does JuJu's big game mean for Martavis Bryant?". NFL. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  33. ↑ Rookies with 190+ receiving yards, PFR
  34. ↑ Lam, Quang M. (November 1, 2017). "Steelers' JuJu Smith-Schuster among Players of Week". NFL.com.
  35. ↑ Patra, Kevin. "JuJu Smith-Schuster, George Iloka each suspended for one game". NFL. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  36. ↑ Casaletto, Lucas (December 31, 2017). "Smith-Schuster youngest to reach 1,000-plus all-purpose yards in 1 season". thescore.com. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  37. ↑ "Rivers, Byard, Godwin among NFL Players of the Week". NFL.com. January 3, 2018.
  38. ↑ "JuJu Smith-Schuster 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
  39. ↑ "Player Game Finder Query Results". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
  40. ↑ "JuJu Smith-Schuster named Polynesian player of the year". nfl.com. January 4, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  41. ↑ "Divisional Round - Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers - January 14th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
  42. ↑ "Randy Fichtner replaces Todd Haley as Steelers offensive coordinator". NFL.com. January 18, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  43. ↑ "Ourlads.com: Pittsburgh Steelers Depth Chart: 09/01/2018". Ourlads.com. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  44. ↑ "Steelers' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Leads team in receiving versus Browns". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2018-10-04.
  45. ↑ "Chiefs drop Steelers to 0-1-1 with 42-37 win". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 2018-10-04.
  46. ↑ "Young Samoan drafted by Pittsburg Steelers for N.F.L." samoaobserver.WS. May 5, 2017. Retrieved October 29, 2017.
  47. 1 2 Klein, Gary (November 16, 2014). "USC-UCLA game gives receiver JuJu Smith another opportunity to grow". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2017-10-29.
  48. ↑ Thiry, Lindsey. "USC's JuJu Smith changes last name to Smith-Schuster". LA Times. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  49. ↑ Uggetti, Paolo. "The Young Hope". The Ringer. Retrieved 2017-11-14.
  50. ↑ Reames, Mitch (February 8, 2018). "Pittsburgh Steelers' JuJu Smith-Schuster Meshes With Esports Organization FaZe Clan". sporttechie.com. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  51. ↑ "USER STATISTICS FOR TEAMJUJU (APR 12TH, 2018 - APR 25TH, 2018)". socialblade.com. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.