Makai Lemon 2026 NFL Draft Profile

USC is looking to make a statement in its second season in the Big Ten. After a strong 2022, the Lincoln Riley era has been underwhelming since. If the Trojans are going to make a push for the College Football Playoff, then Riley’s offense needs to return to dominance. Wide receiver Makai Lemon is an essential piece for USC offensively. He emerged as a premier target in 2024 and has gotten off to a hot start in 2025. His skill set lets him beat defenses in various ways. There’s plenty to like about Lemon’s game, but is he a first-round caliber prospect?

2026 NFL Draft: Makai Lemon Player Profile

Background

Lemon was a four-star recruit and the ninth-ranked wide receiver prospect in the Class of 2023. After playing high school football at Los Alamitos (California), he stayed close to home and committed to USC. Lemon saw limited action as a freshman, having just six catches for 88 yards. He showed glimpses of what was to come with two catches for 75 yards in a win over Louisville in the Holiday Bowl.

The momentum from the bowl game carried into 2024, as Lemon led the Trojans in catches and receiving yards. He had 52 catches for 764 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games. His prowess as a kick returner was also on display, averaging 27.1 yards per return as a sophomore. 2025 gives Lemon the opportunity to further stand out after Zachariah Branch transferred to Georgia. He has taken advantage of that opportunity so far, leading the Big Ten with 248 receiving yards through two weeks. Lemon is fresh off a dominant showing against Georgia Southern, having 158 yards and two touchdowns on just four receptions.

Strengths

Wide receivers who get open consistently tend to be the ones who work in the NFL. Lemon is an excellent route runner who routinely finds open grass. His football IQ is evident, as he excels at adjusting his routes to find the soft spots against zone coverage. His movement off the line of scrimmage is remarkable, and his refined technique leads to him winning against man coverage. Lemon’s combination of acceleration and shiftiness makes him a problem for defenders after the catch. He’s a threat on all three levels, winning deep, intermediate, and underneath. His reliable hands are another positive as a prospect. Lemon is also an effective kick returner who brings extra value on special teams.

Weaknesses

Lemon is on the smaller end of wide receivers, measuring in at 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds. His smaller frame means he isn’t a player who will regularly win against press coverage against more physical NFL cornerbacks. He isn’t a great contested-catch receiver and wins more in space. While Lemon projects as a quality slot receiver at the next level, he isn’t a prototypical boundary receiver.

Overview

There aren’t many players in the country who have stood out as much as Lemon through the first couple of weeks of the season. His game is incredibly well-rounded, with his combination of route running, football IQ, and acceleration. The connection with quarterback Jayden Maiava is there, which bodes well for the Trojans entering conference play. Lemon’s frame means he likely won’t be an X-receiver in the NFL, but he should find success out of the slot. He understands the more nuanced aspects of the position, and consistently getting open will always be valuable. Lemon entered 2025 as a second-round caliber prospect. If he continues his strong start against stiffer competition, then he can play his way into the first round.