MAKAI LEMON
Full Name: Makai Lemon
Date of Birth: June 2nd, 2004
Age (as of January 2026): 21
Hometown: Los Alamitos, California
High School: Los Alamitos High School (Los Alamitos, CA)
Current School: University of Southern California (USC)
Conference: Big Ten
Academic Major: Not publicly disclosed
Years at School: Junior
Transfer History: None
Redshirt Status: Did not redshirt
Eligibility Remaining: one year (2026 season)
FootBall Information
Position(s) Played: Wide Receiver
Primary Position: Wide Receiver
Pro Position Projection: WR (Slot / Z hybrid)
Jersey Number: #6
Starter or Backup: Starter
Team Captain Status: Not publicly disclosed
Games Played / Started:
2023: 12 games (0 starts)
2024: 12 games (6 starts)
2025: 12 games (11 starts)
Injury History: No significant injuries reported
Suspensions/Disciplinary Issues: None reported
COACH HISTORY
Head Coach: Lincoln Riley
Offensive Coordinator: Lincoln Riley
Wide Receivers Coach: Dennis Simmons
Physical
Measurements
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 195 lbs
Arm Length: Pending Combine
Hand Size: Pending Combine
Wingspan: Pending Combine
summary
summary
Makai Lemon is a polished, competitive wide receiver with strong route detail, toughness, and reliable hands, emerging as one of USC’s most dependable offensive weapons. At 6'0", 195 lbs, Lemon brings a compact, well-built frame with sharp short-area quickness and excellent body control, allowing him to consistently create separation underneath and in the intermediate areas. After flashing as a rotational player in 2023, he broke out in 2024 as a starter, becoming a trusted target in Lincoln Riley’s offense with his ability to win from the slot or align as a Z receiver. Lemon excels at tempo variation, understanding leverage, and finishing through contact, showing advanced football intelligence and competitive toughness as a chain mover. While he does not possess elite long speed, his route savvy, spatial awareness, and hands make him highly effective against man and zone coverage. Continued production and refinement position Lemon as a high-floor WR prospect with clear NFL role potential as a reliable slot or complementary starter heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.