USC Trojans’ Makai Lemon or Ja’Kobi Lane: First Receiver Taken In 2026 NFL Draft? 

He stepped into a starting role in 2024. After a slow start to the season and an injury that cost him almost two full games in the month of September, Lemon began to find his rhythm in the USC offense and as a kick returner when he returned to lineup. 

His signature performance came in week 9 against Rutgers when he recorded 256 all-purpose, the most by USC player since 2016. 

In games against Washington and Notre Dame, who ranked second and fourth in the country respectively in pass defense, Lemon caught 17 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown. He proved to be a reliable target for quarterbacks Miller Moss and Jayden Maiava because of his refined route running and ability to move the chains. 

And in a crowded receiver room, Lemon finished first on the team in receptions (52) and receiving yards (764). He earned All-Big Ten Offensive Honorable Mention and All-Big Ten Return Specialist Third Team.

Heading into his junior season, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Lemon is now well-known, not just in college football, but amongst NFL evaluators. PFF has the Trojans pass-catcher rated as the No. 1 receiver for the 2026 NFL Draft. 

There’s no Marvin Harrison Jr. or Ja’Marr Chase in the 2026 NFL Draft and Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith is still two years away from being eligible, which means any number of players could emerge as the first wide receiver off the board for next year’s draft, including USC junior receiver Ja’Kobi Lane. 

Similar to Lemon, the 6-foot-4 Lane was a four-star recruit in the 2023 cycle was unknown outside of USC circles and Louisville fans after watching him catch two touchdowns in the bowl game. 

Lane had a breakout season of his own, catching 12 touchdowns, which ranked second in the Big Ten in 2024. ESPN NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid has Lane as his No. 1 receiver on his big board. 

“He’s got some big goals for this team, and he wants to be a leader, and he wants to be someone that this team can count on each and every day and he knows the path to that is more consistency in all areas,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said in April. “He’s doing a lot of things better than he ever has. He’s got great intent for it. He continues to grow and progress and we’re just going to need him to stay on that track.” 

There’s plenty of buzz surrounding the Trojans receivers heading into the fall. Seeing two receivers from the same school drafted in the first round has become more and more common this decade. It’s already happened four times since 2020. Can Lemon and Lane become the fifth?