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.