The Big Ten announced its end of year awards Wednesday and Thursday, and multiple Trojans were honored. USC wide receiver Makai Lemon and safety Bishop Fitzgerald were named All-Big Ten first-team selections by both the conference's coaches and the media. Additionally, the Big Ten coaches and media panel both awarded tight end Lake McRee with an All-Big Ten second-team selection.
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USC quarterback Jayden Maiava and kicker Ryon Sayeri earned third-team All-Big Ten selections from the coaches. USC wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane was a third-team All-Big Ten media pick. Right guard, Alani Noa, right tackle Justin Tauanuu, running back King Miller, offensive lineman Tobias Raymond, tight end Walker Lyons and Lane were all honorable mention picks by the conference's coaches for offense. The coaches also selected defensive end Anthony Lucas, defensive lineman Devan Thompkins, linebacker Eric Gentry and safety Kamari Ramsey as honorable mention picks for defense.
Noa, Maiava, Tauanuu, Miller and offensive lineman Tobias Raymond were all picked as honorable mention selections on offense by the media. The media also selected Thompkins, Gentry and Ramsey as honorable mentions on defense. On special teams, the media picked Sayeri and long snapper Hank Pepper as honorable mentions. Raymond was also honored with a sportsmanship award.
USC did have one noticeable snub with this year's Big Ten awards. Ohio State wideout Jeremiah Smith won the conference's Receiver of the Year award over Lemon despite Lemon having better numbers on the year. Smith ended the regular season with 72 catches for 942 yards and 11 touchdowns across 11 games. Lemon played in 12 contests and caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 scores. Smith rushed for one score, and Lemon ran for two in addition to throwing a touchdown pass.
Looking at grades on Pro Football Focus, Lemon earned a 90.4 overall grade for offense compared to a 90.0 grade for Smith. Lemons's 91.3 receiving grade is also higher than Smith's 89.7. Smith didn't even have the highest receiving grade on his team this season. Carnell Tate ended the year with an 89.9 receiving grade.
Makai Lemon. (Photo: Mike Richardson | USCfootball.com, 247Sports)
USC will find out its bowl game and opponent Sunday. Multiple sources have indicated to USCFootball.com the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio is the most likely destination for the Trojans. The Alamo Bowl is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 6:00 p.m. PST. If USC ends up getting picked for the game, the Trojans will play an opponent from the Big 12.