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USC Star Makai Lemon Declares for 2026 NFL Draft, Will Skip Alamo Bowl

The Biletnikoff winner boosted his stock by leading the Power Four in receiving this season.

Overview

  • Lemon finished 2025 with 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns, earned AP first-team All-America honors, and was named Polynesian College Football Player of the Year.
  • He departs USC with 137 career catches for 2,008 yards and 14 touchdowns across three seasons.
  • Draft evaluators rank him among the top receivers in the class, with projections ranging from mid–first round to early second round in various mocks.
  • USC must adjust for the Dec. 30 Alamo Bowl vs. TCU without Lemon and fellow NFL entrants Ja'Kobi Lane and tight end Lake McRee.
  • AP reports Lincoln Riley expects roughly a dozen starters to be unavailable for the bowl through opt-outs and injuries, though starting quarterback Jayden Maiava has confirmed he will return next season.