USC WR Makai Lemon wins 2025 Biletnikoff Award

USC wide receiver Makai Lemon has won the 2025 Biletnikoff Award. The honor goes to the best receiver in college football during the season.

Three players emerged as finalists for the award. Lemon, UConn star Skyler Bell and Ohio State star Jeremiah Smith were the three players who waited to see if their names were called during Friday’s College Football Awards show.

All three players were impressive during the 2025 season, emerging as some of the top playmakers in the country. That helped them wind up squarely in the mix for the Biletnikoff Award.

A crucial part of the USC offense this season, Lemon emerged as a top target for Jayden Maiava. His 1,156 receiving yards ranked fourth in the country while also adding 79 receptions and 11 touchdowns – ranking in the Top 10 in the nation in both categories.

It was a breakout year for Lemon, who continued to improve after a strong sophomore campaign in 2024. He hauled in 52 passes for 764 yards and three touchdowns as he became a bigger part of the offense.

Additionally, Lemon earned a spot in the On3 2025 College Football All-America Team for his efforts this year. His step forward helped make him one of the top receivers in college football along the way.

“Lemon went from a really good receiver in 2024 to an elite receiver this season,” wrote On3’s Chris Low. “The 5-11, 195-pound junior led all Power 4 players with 1,156 receiving yards, including 718 yards after the catch. He led the Big Ten with 64 receptions and nine touchdowns in nine league games and had just two dropped passes in 108 targets.”

Makai Lemon joins an impressive list of Biletnikoff Award winners, following Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter last year. Former Ohio State star Marvin Harrison Jr. and former Tennessee standout Jalin Hyatt won the award in 2024 and 2023, respectively.

“The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the college football season’s outstanding FBS receiver,” the Biletnikoff Award said in a press release. “Any player, regardless of position (wide receiver, tight end, slot or inside receiver, wing back, or running back) who catches a pass is eligible for the award.

“As such, the Biletnikoff Award recognizes college football’s outstanding receiver, not merely college football’s outstanding wide receiver. Tight end Kyle Pitts was a finalist in 2020 and other tight ends were semifinalists in other years. Moreover, the Biletnikoff Award is a single season, not career, award.”