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Makai Lemon announces decision to declare for 2026 NFL Draft

Barkley-Truaxby: Barkley Truax18 hours agoBarkleyTruax

USC star wide receiver Makai Lemon has declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, he announced on Wednesday. Lemon is the winner of the 2025 Biletnikoff Award.

During the regular season, Lemon hauled in 1,156 receiving yards, which ranked fourth in the country while also adding 79 receptions and 11 touchdowns. He finished ranked in the top 10 in the nation in both categories.

Lemon has already opted out of the Alamo Bowl vs. TCU later this month, alongside S Kamari Ramsey, fellow WR Ja’Kobi Lane, TE Lake McRee and LB Eric Gentry. That means the next time we’ll see Lemon in uniform will be in the NFL.

Lemon thanked God, his family, teammates, and and handful of coaches in his parting statement. He posted the caption “still that same fella” alongside his declaration.

“Coach (Lincoln) Riley, Coach (Dennis) Simmons, Coach (Chad) Savage, and Coach (Luke) Huard — I’m so grateful for each of you. Thank you for trusting me, demanding excellence from me, and helping me elevate my game while also shaping me as a person,” Lemon wrote, in part. “USC will forever hold a special place in my heart.

“I’m a Los Angeles native, and the opportunity to play this game in the city that raised me was something l envisioned long before it became reality. Competing in front of my family, friends, and community made this experience even more meaningful, and I’ll always be proud to have represented this university and this city.

“After careful thought and prayer, I’ve decided to take the next step in my journey. I will be declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft and will be foregoing my remaining year of eligibility.”

Lemon’s breakout junior season came after he continued to improve following a strong sophomore campaign in 2024. That season, he hauled in 52 passes for 764 yards and three touchdowns as he quickly because a larger part of the Trojans offense.

For his efforts this fall, Lemon earned a spot in the On3 2025 College Football All-America Team. His massive leap forward helped make him one of the top receivers in college football along the way. Now, he’s expected to be one of the most highly sought-after wide receiver prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft cycle.

The 2026 NFL Draft is set to be held Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from April 23-25. Currently, six NFL teams have records between 2-12 and 3-11, so the draft order is far from decided.