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USC WR Makai Lemon Stays True Amidst NIL Era
25 Dec
Summary
- Makai Lemon is USC's first Biletnikoff winner and unanimous All-American since 2012.
- He led Power Four receivers with 1,156 yards and 14 touchdowns in the regular season.
- Lemon credits trust in coaches and his own abilities for staying at USC.
Makai Lemon, USC's standout wide receiver, has earned the prestigious Biletnikoff Award and unanimous First Team All-American honors, marking the first time a Trojan achieved both since Marqise Lee in 2012. He concluded his final regular season with an impressive 1,156 receiving yards, topping all Power Four receivers, and scored 14 touchdowns. Lemon declared for the NFL Draft on December 14th.
Lemon's decision to stay with USC for all three seasons highlights a commitment rare in the current NIL era. He emphasized that his perseverance and trust in the coaching staff were key. Despite various team changes, including coaching shifts and conference realignments, Lemon remained focused on his development, accumulating 2,008 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns over his college career.
Now poised for the 2026 NFL Draft as a top-rated receiver prospect, Lemon follows a storied lineage of USC wideouts. His skills in route-running, yards after catch, and athleticism are highly regarded by NFL organizations. Advice from NFL veterans like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Marqise Lee centered on authenticity, encouraging him to "be yourself" as he transitions to the professional level.
