Former USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon has stolen the headlines at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis due to his demeanor when speaking to reporters at the showcase event. Lemon has been tabbed as a first-round pick and is in the running to be the first wide receiver off the board during the 2026 NFL Draft.
Makai Lemon’s Troubling Combine Interviews Revealed
On Sunday evening, former LSU Tigers star Breiden Fehoko revealed on X that Lemon bombed during his interviews with NFL teams at the combine, but further detailed that the wide receiver’s draft stock had not taken a hit as a result.
“I talked to a scout just now who said he didn’t know what Makai Lemon’s motive was behind his combine interviews but whoever advised the kid needs to be fired. “Absolutely bombed it” word for word,” Fehoko tweeted.
“FWIW Makai Lemon will still get drafted in the first round. You also aren’t expecting Sister Jean characteristics out of polarizing wideouts. Interviews do matter because you want these guys personalities to mesh with the locker room you already have.”
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In 33 appearances for the Trojans, Lemon distinguished himself as one of the best wide receivers in the country, registering 2,008 receiving yards on 137 receptions, resulting in 16 total touchdowns.
Lemon Receives Unexpected Draft Boost
Alongside Lemon, former Ohio State Buckeyes star Carnell Tate and former Arizona State Sun Devils standout Jordyn Tyson headline the 2026 draft class’s wide receiver talent and will battle to be the first in their position off the board on draft night.
While Tate has largely held the WR1 honor in most mock drafts, Lemon saw a surge in ESPN Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest big board, being mocked to be selected No. 8 overall by the New Orleans Saints.
“Quarterback Tyler Shough flashed down the stretch of his rookie season, but now the Saints must help him take the next step in Year 2. I had Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson to New Orleans in my first mock draft and though I’m sticking with the same position, I’m going with Lemon this time around,” Kiper wrote.
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“He attacks the ball in the air and would be a productive player for Shough after amassing 1,156 yards in 2025. Regardless of whether Chris Olave is in the team’s long-term plans, New Orleans could improve the offense with someone like Lemon running routes out of the slot.”
Lemon, who won the 2025 Biletnikoff Award after impressive performances for the Trojans, tallied 79 receptions, resulting in 1,156 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns last season. As a result, he earned a PFSN’s CFB WR Impact Metrics score of 85.1.
