Pro Football Focus released its initial Top 50 prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft on Tuesday, which included USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. Lemon was rated the No. 44 overall prospect and No. 8 among wide receivers.
"Lemon was extremely efficient in his sophomore season with the Trojans. His 3.03 yards per route run average ranks third among returning Power Four wideouts, trailing only Jeremiah Smith and Jordyn Tyson," wrote analyst Max Chadwick. "Smith is also the only returning wide receiver in college football who was more valuable than Lemon in 2024, according to PFF's wins above average metric. Lemon has strong hands and is dynamic after the catch, making him one of the best slot receivers in the country."
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Lemon broke out in his sophomore campaign with a team-high 52 receptions for 764 yards and three scores over 12 games. He was also one of the best kick returners in the Big Ten late in the year with a 27.1 yards per return average. Overall, Lemon finished with 1,460 all-purpose yards in 2024. He recorded two games of at least 100 yards and three games with at least eight receptions. He missed one game due to a concussion.
The former four-star prospect will pair with fellow junior Ja'Kobi Lane to make up one of the best receiver duos in the country. Lane is coming off his own breakout season with 43 receptions for 525 yards and a team-best 12 TDs, tied for third in the Big Ten.
The duo will be in line for 1,000-yard seasons with more targets up for grabs after transfers from 2024 starters Duce Robinson (Florida State) and Zachariah Branch (Georgia). Lemon and Lane will be supplemented by a young supporting cast of receivers (four freshmen) and upperclassmen Jay Fair and Boise State transfer Prince Strachan.
Lemon was limited virtually all of spring camp with a hamstring injury. He returned at the tail end of camp but was held out for the final few practices. He is expected to be ready for the start of fall camp.
The Trojans will open the season at home on Aug. 30th against Missouri State.