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Makai Lemon, Elijah Paige, Kamari Ramsey to represent USC at Big Ten Media Days

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney06/30/25ErikTMcKinney
USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) carries the ball against Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Daymion Sanford (27) in the second half at Allegiant Stadium
USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) carries the ball against Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Daymion Sanford (27) in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Big Ten Media Days are set for July 22-24 in Las Vegas and each of the 18 conference teams will have its head coach and three player representatives on site. The USC Trojans are set to appear on Thursday, July 24 along with Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue and UCLA.

Lincoln Riley will be joined by wide receiver Makai Lemon, offensive tackle Elijah Paige and safety Kamari Ramsey.

It’s the second year in a row for Ramsey, who was a USC representative in 2024 after moving into a leadership role for the team and the defense quickly after coming over as a transfer from UCLA. He finished last year with 60 tackles, including six for loss and two sacks, plus an interception, two forced fumbles and five pass deflections.

Lemon was last year’s USC leader in receptions and receiving yards and is viewed coming into this year as arguably the Trojans’ best offensive and special teams player. He caught 52 passes for 764 yards and three touchdowns last season while adding 514 kickoff return yards in averaging 27.1 yards per return. He also completed a pass for 39 yards.

Paige is the leader along USC’s offensive line in 2025 as its returning left tackle. The Trojans added two veterans along the line in left guard DJ Wingfield and center J’Onre Reed, but Paige will be one of the tone-setters for that group and the offense as a whole.

Perhaps a notable absence for the Trojans is anticipated starting quarterback Jayden Maiava. USC is one of 10 Big Ten teams not taking its quarterback to Las Vegas. Outside of the position, it’s tough to argue Maiava should replace any of the three players selected based on their contributions on and off the field.

Big Ten Football Media Days will be broadcast by the Big Ten Network, which will run six hours of live coverage each of the three days, beginning at 10 am PT.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz