Makai Lemon wins Biletnikoff Award

The prestigious award is given to the top collegiate receiver in the country.

By KAI ASSAD
Makai Lemon prepares for a snap in 2025.
Junior wide receiver Makai Lemon is expected to declare for the NFL Draft and be picked early in the first round despite having a year of eligibility remaining. He has not publicly commented on his decision. Lemon is pictured during a Sept. 20 game. (Ethan Thai / Daily Trojan)

Junior wide receiver Makai Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award on Friday, which is given to the best receiver in college football. He became the second Trojan to win the award, which has been presented annually since 1994, joining Marqise Lee, the 2012 honoree.

Lemon led all Power Four conference receivers with 1,156 receiving yards this season and was among the Big Ten leaders with 11 receiving touchdowns. He amassed five 100-yard games, including a standout 153-yard, one-touchdown performance in USC’s comeback win against Iowa.

Despite having a year of eligibility remaining, Lemon is expected to declare for the NFL Draft and be picked early in the first round. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Lemon pegged as the No. 3 receiver and No. 10 prospect overall.

Lemon has not publicly commented on his decision, though if he does declare, it is likely he would miss USC’s upcoming Dec. 30 matchup against TCU in the Valero Alamo Bowl in preparation for the draft.


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