USC wide receiver Makai Lemon has been honored with the prestigious Biletnikoff Award, recognizing him as the nation’s top wideout. The announcement was made during the College Football Awards show, where Lemon triumphed over competitors such as Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and UConn’s Skyler Bell. He joins an elite group as the second player in USC history to win this accolade, following Marqise Lee, who secured the award in 2012.
Lemon’s impressive performance in his third-year junior season has solidified his status among the elite in college football. Over the course of 12 games, he recorded 79 receptions for 1,156 yards, along with 11 touchdowns. In addition to his receiving prowess, Lemon demonstrated versatility by rushing for two touchdowns and even throwing a touchdown pass.
His offensive stats were noteworthy, as he achieved a remarkable 90.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, making him the highest-rated wide receiver in the FBS this season. Lemon’s receiving yardage not only led all Power Four wideouts but also showcased his ability to create opportunities with remarkable agility and toughness. His 20 forced missed tackles ranked him sixth among all receivers nationally, and he successfully caught 10 of his 15 contested targets.
USC head coach Lincoln Riley expressed immense pride in Lemon’s work ethic and competitive spirit. “The toughness and fearless nature that he plays and competes with every time he touches the field is a big deal for our team and is certainly inspiring,” Riley remarked.
One of Lemon’s standout performances transpired during a crucial game against Iowa, where he single-handedly contributed to the Trojans’ thrilling 26-21 comeback victory. In harsh weather conditions and despite nursing an injury, he caught all ten of his targets for 153 yards and a touchdown, prompting Iowa’s head coach Kirk Ferentz to commend Lemon’s impact on the game, describing him as one of the best offensive players he has encountered in over 20 years.
Throughout the 2025 season, Lemon consistently showcased his abilities, surpassing 100 yards receiving in five different matchups against teams like Georgia Southern, Michigan State, Illinois, Northwestern, and Iowa. His performances against Georgia Southern, Illinois, and Oregon included multiple touchdown receptions, significantly elevating his profile in the lead-up to the Biletnikoff Award.
As Lemon looks towards the future, he is widely anticipated to declare for the NFL Draft following this historic season. It is expected that he may forgo participation in USC’s upcoming Alamo Bowl against TCU on December 30, as he prepares for the next chapter of his football career.
