USC extensive receiver Makai Lemon is declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft after a wonderful junior season, he introduced Wednesday. Lemon is the No. 3 extensive receiver within the CBS Sports activities NFL Draft Prospect Rankings and seen as a possible first-round choose this spring.
“USC will endlessly maintain a particular place in my coronary heart,” Lemon wrote in his announcement. “I am a Los Angeles native, and the chance to play this recreation within the metropolis that raised me was one thing I envisioned lengthy earlier than it turned actuality. Competing in entrance of my household, associates, and neighborhood made this expertise much more significant, and I will all the time be proud to have represented this college and this metropolis.
“After cautious thought and prayer, l’ve determined to take the following step in my journey. I might be declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft and might be foregoing my remaining 12 months of eligibility.”
Jayden Maiava returning to USC for 2026 season: What does it imply for Lincoln Riley’s Trojans?
Cameron Salerno
Lemon completed the 2025 marketing campaign with 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. He received the Biletnikoff Award, which honors the nation’s high extensive receiver, over Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and UConn’s Skyler Bell. Lemon caught at the least one landing move in eight video games this season as USC went 9-3. Throughout his three-year faculty profession, Lemon registered 137 catches for two,008 yards and 14 touchdowns.
USC, No. 16 within the closing School Soccer Playoff rankings, is scheduled to play TCU within the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 30. Lemon will not be anticipated to play.
Lemon’s NFL Draft inventory
Lemon is the No. 17 total prospect within the CBS Sports activities NFL Draft Prospect Rankings. Nonetheless, he may go increased within the draft than his rating. CBS Sports activities draft analyst Blake Brockermeyer mocked Lemon at No. 13 to the Carolina Panthers earlier this week.
“Lemon performs with a defensive mentality on the catch level and brings a aggressive edge,” Brockermeyer wrote. “He is an issue within the slot because of his skill to create separation and make performs after the catch.”
One other analyst, Josh Edwards, mocked Lemon at No. 20 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“D.Okay. Metcalf is locked in with Pittsburgh long-term, however the crew has been looking for a complimentary skillset,” Edwards wrote. “Makai Lemon is that predominant slot participant, who could make performs in area and create yards after the catch.”
Affect on USC
Lemon’s announcement should not come as a shock to Lincoln Riley’s crew. Lemon is predicted to compete with Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate for WR1 on this class after having a standout junior season. Lemon is not the one star extensive receiver from USC declaring for the NFL Draft, as Ja’Kobi Lane already introduced his intention to enter the draft.
Whereas USC should exchange its high three move catchers from this season (Lemon, Lane and tight finish Lake McRee), star quarterback Jayden Maiava is returning to high school for the 2026 season. At receiver, Tanook Hines is a reputation to control for an expanded position subsequent season. He enters the bowl 28 catches for 398 yards and two touchdowns.
USC, which completed with the No. 1-ranked recruiting class within the 247Sports rankings for the category of 2026, ought to enter subsequent season — 12 months 5 for Riley — with main expectations.
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