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Makai Lemon wins 2025 Biletnikoff Award

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney12/13/25ErikTMcKinney

USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon is the winner of the 2025 Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation’s top receiver.

The 5-foot-11, 195-pound junior was outstanding in his third season in cardinal and gold. He finished the 12-game regular season with 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed for two scores and threw a touchdown pass.

Lemon caught at least seven passes in seven games this season, had four games with at least 150 receiving yards, and put up 41 receptions for 507 yards and seven total touchdowns against USC’s five ranked opponents.

Lemon was named First Team All-Big Ten and a PFF First-Team All-American to this point. Postseason awards will undoubtedly continue to roll in.

Lemon beat out Jeremiah Smith of Ohio State and Skyler Bell of UConn, the other finalists, for the award. Smith was named Big Ten Receiver of the Year over Lemon and finished No. 6 in the Heisman Trophy voting, but it’s Lemon who takes home the important hardware for wide receivers.

He is the second-ever USC receiver to win the award, joining Marqise Lee, who won it following the 2012 season.

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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