USC Star Makai Lemon Doesn't Hold Back On Transfer Portal

The USC Trojans have another Biletnikoff Award winner and unanimous First Team All-American in wide receiver Makai Lemon, the first Trojan to do so since 2012. Ahead of his departure for the NFL Draft, Lemon shared why he stayed at USC for all three seasons.

Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) celebrates after catching a 32-yard touchdown pass against the UCLA Bruins in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon closed out his third and final season in Cardinal and Gold with a Biletnikoff Award win and unanimous First Team All-American honors. He's the first USC wide receiver to achieve both in the same season since Marqise Lee in 2012.

Lemon's honors tell the college football world how strong he really was — finishing the regular season with 1,156 receiving yards, which led Power Four receivers, and 14 total touchdowns. On Dec. 14, Lemon declared for the NFL Draft.

Coming into college, Lemon originally flipped his commitment from Oklahoma to USC when coach Lincoln Riley made the move, and Lemon stayed with USC all three years.

Why Makai Lemon Never Thought About The Transfer Portal

Dec 27, 2023; San Diego, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley (right) celebrates with wide receiver Makai Lemon (24) after the Holiday Bowl against the Louisville Cardinals at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Lemon stayed with the Trojans for his entire college career, a rarity with the heavy presence of NIL. His three years at USC saw everything from upsets, to a conference change to quarterback changes, but never took his eye off the ball.

"I think just taught me a lot of hard work, perseverance, just staying down, (and) really trusting in myself and my ability," Lemon said at Monday's press conference. "Putting my full trust in the coaches that I started a journey with and you know, that trust and that bond that we have created was never weak, and only got stronger for me being here those three years."

My favorite thing about Makai Lemon's tape is there's a little bit of everything there:

- Catch in traffic
- YAC machine
- Burst off the LOS
- Strong route running
- Sideline/boundary work
- Strong hands at catch point

He's the perfect (elite slot receiver) at the next level. pic.twitter.com/Sq8UnzICLn

— Snoog's Fantasy HQ (@FFSnoog) December 15, 2025

Coming out of the 2023 class, the Los Alamitos, California native was the No. 50 recruit nationally, the No. 9 wide receiver and the No. 65 prospect out of California. Although Riley recruited Lemon when he was at Oklahoma, his commitment flip filled the USC football blueprint perfectly: Southern California recruiting.

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Lemon's decision to lean into the growth within the Trojans program paid off, which saw 2,008 receiving yards on 137 receptions and 17 total touchdowns through three seasons. Lemon now enters the 2026 NFL Draft as one of the highest rated wide receiver prospects.

Lemon's Collegiate Career Sets Up A Successful Path In The NFL

Nov 7, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) runs the ball against Northwestern Wildcats cornerback Fred Davis II (2) during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

USC's long line of wide receivers who were stars in the NFL goes without saying, from former receivers like Lee, Dwayne Jarrett to active wideouts in the NFL like Detroit Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown, Kansas City Chiefs' Juju Smith-Schuster and Atlanta Falcons Drake London.

Lemon's numbers on paper paired with the highlight reel of receptions this season put him in position to be a first round draft, which would make him the first USC receiver since the Minnesota Vikings selected Jordan Addison 23rd overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.

From his route-running, to his strength in yards after the catch and the ability to make any catch look easy with hisathleticism is attractive to many NFL organizations. Another note is his development within one program, proving his growth and talent over the years prove his improvement as a wide receiver. Especially in the Big Ten, playing against some of the top defenses like Michigan, Iowa and 2024 Penn State, the 5-foot-11 receiver could compete against physical coverage.

Dec 4, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) warms up before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

When asked about speaking with the former USC receivers who have been through the Draft process, Lemon said that Lee and St. Brown gave gave him the most important piece of advice: Be yourself.

"Yeah, I talked to a couple guys you know obviously Amon-Ra, other guys that have been in the league that already done it like Marqise Lee you know really just telling me just be me," Lemon said. "That's the main thing. Don't try to, you know, try to be somebody else or try to do too much. You know, just keep doing what you're doing."