Why USC Trojans Makai Lemon Deserves First Round NFL Draft Grade

The No. 16 USC Trojans closed out their season 9-3 with a 29-10 win over UCLA. Now, leading up to the postseason, is a period of time for players to think about their future with the program. For Makai Lemon, his will, most likely, be the NFL Draft.

Jul 24, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USC wide receiver Makai Lemon speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images | Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

The regular season has come to an end, the No. 17 USC Trojans have finished out the year 9-3 prior to the postseason. With the culmination of a regular season rises questions for veterans to declare for the NFL Draft.

For one, when discussing which USC players may declare, wide receiver Makai Lemon is often the first name mentioned. The 5-foot-11 playmaker finished the 2025 season with over 1,000 receiving yards, becoming the first FBS receiver to hit that mark this year.

Makai Lemon, Nation's Best Receiver?

Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) catches the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Going into this season, Trojan fans knew they had an elite wide receiver duo Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane, who both thrive in different areas that create an elite air raid offense under coach Lincoln Riley. However, if there's one thing Lemon has done this season is prove his talent.

This season alone, Lemon recorded 1,156 receiving yards on 79 receptions, 11 touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns, numbers that exceeded his 2024 statistics beyond measure. Smith only has 942 receiving yards on 72 receptions and 11 touchdowns.

Lemon has made multiple headlines regarding his future in the league, even seen as up and coming versions of current NFL receivers. Lemon was also named as a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, awarded to the nation's best receiver.

A Los Alamitos, California product, there's one thing for certain when Lemon talks about his one and only school he's ever played for, it's home.

“This is home. You know, it’s in my backyard. I got my family here. Such a great program. I wouldn’t want to be nowhere else,” Lemon told the media in September.

For Riley, Lemon, who also doubles as a punt returner, has simply been the most efficient receiver in the nation.

USC HC Lincoln Riley on WR Makai Lemon as a Biletnikoff finalist: "I think he's been the most productive receiver in the country this year. It’s just pretty plain and simple, and he's done it against great defensive teams." pic.twitter.com/yFApYZifVs

— Keely Eure (@keelyismyname) December 2, 2025

"I think he's been the most productive receiver in the country this year. It’s just pretty plain and simple, and he's done it against great defensive teams." Riley said on Trojans Live.

High NFL Draft Praise For Lemon

Nov 22, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) runs with the ball during the first half against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

It wasn't hard to figure out that Lemon would be a recurring name in NFL Draft discussions, despite some physical traits Lemon may lack in his size and catch radius. For ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Mel Kiper, his athleticism stands out the most.

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"I've spent a lot of time talking about Lemon this fall. At 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, Lemon is the best slot receiver in the class, with 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 scores this season. He attacks the football in the air," Kiper wrote. "Lemon plays fierce football, and he's the kind of player I'd want on my roster."

The Trojans have also been tabbed as "Wide Receiver U," producing some of the NFL's most explosive wide receivers. Notably, Atlanta Falcons Drake London, Detroit Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown, Minnesota Vikings Jordan Addison and Indianapolis Colts Michael Pittman Jr., to name a few that are taking the league by storm.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) poses for a photo at warmup ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sunday, November 16, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Point being, it would not be much of a surprise for Lemon to make an early candidate in the NFL Draft, especially for his 2025 resume.

As previously mentioned, Lemon is joined by another of the nation’s elite receivers, Smith, who is also a Biletnikoff Award finalist. Completing the trio is Arizona State’s Jordan Tyson. According to Kiper, all three have the talent to earn first-round Draft consideration based on their 2025 seasons.

The Trojans still have one more postseason Bowl game to play in, which is still TBA. However, the offseason will be exciting to see which Trojans choose to, most likely, join Lemon in declaring for the NFL Draft.