Overview
- USC’s Makai Lemon was announced Friday as the Biletnikoff Award winner over Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and UConn’s Skyler Bell.
- Lemon logged 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns, added rushing and passing scores, and earned a 90.4 Pro Football Focus grade that ranked first among FBS receivers.
- Smith finished with 80 receptions, 1,086 yards and 11 touchdowns and was the only wide receiver to place in the Heisman Trophy top 10 this season.
- The result prompted immediate pushback on social media, with posts labeling the outcome a snub and questioning how voters evaluated efficiency, versatility and strength of competition.
- Postseason stakes now frame the conversation, with Ohio State in the College Football Playoff, USC set for the Alamo Bowl against TCU, and UConn headed to the Wasabi Fenway Bowl against Army.