Former USC wide receiver Makai Lemon has emerged as one of the most polarizing prospects of the pre-draft cycle following a viral news conference at the NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis. Lemon, who intrigued scouts with his “too locked in” demeanor and Swaying-podium appearance, is now a projected first-round pick and a serious contender to be the first wide receiver selected in Pittsburgh this week.
Lemon cemented his status as an elite prospect after a stellar 2025 campaign where he was named the winner of the Biletnikoff Award, becoming the first Trojan to win the honor since Marqise Lee in 2012. He concluded his USC career with a prolific stat line, tallying 137 receptions for 2,008 yards and 14 touchdowns over 33 games, proving to be one of Lincoln Riley’s most reliable offensive weapons.
Makai Lemon Receives Lincoln Riley Endorsement
During a segment of “The Jim Rome Show,” USC head coach Lincoln Riley endorsed Lemon’s professional potential, calling him the most versatile receiver in the country. Riley paid the junior the ultimate compliment by suggesting he is a “scheme fit” for every organization in the league.
“I think this guy is the most versatile receiver in the country,” Riley said. “I’ve been fortunate to coach a few good ones over the years, but Makai, I think his versatility, I think he’s a scheme fit. You can make an argument that there’s really not a scheme in the league that he wouldn’t fit in with.”
Riley highlighted Lemon’s ability to dominate both in the slot and on the outside, specifically praising his contested-catch ability. “His contested catches are as good as anybody I’ve ever coached. Route running is all there, and he’s also a really dominant special teams player on top of it. I know that there’s a lot of teams that are eager to add him.”
Lemon proved his reliability in Los Angeles by dropping only four passes on 183 career targets. In his latest mock draft, PFSN analyst Reese Decker predicts the Los Angeles Rams will select Lemon with the No. 13 overall pick to join an already explosive receiving corps.
“The Rams are in the market to add to their already tremendous receiving corps,” Decker wrote. “If you thought Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua were fun, buckle up! Nacua, Davante Adams, and Makai Lemon are going to be pure rocket fuel as the Rams maximize their championship window with Matthew Stafford.”
Last season, Lemon earned a PFSN College Wide Receiver Impact score of 85.1. He registered 1,156 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025 alone, finishing in the top 10 nationally in nearly every major receiving category and solidifying his path to the first round.
