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USC wide receiver Makai Lemon named Biletnikoff Award finalist

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney9 hours agoErikTMcKinney

USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the top receiver in college football.

Lemon is one of three finalists, along with Jeremiah Smith of Ohio State and Skyler Bell of UConn.

With one game to play, Lemon has 78 receptions for 1,124 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns, as well as two rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown.

There is little doubt Lemon should walk away with the award at the end of the season. While Smith was considered the nation’s top receiver and best NFL prospect coming into the season, Lemon has 222 more receiving yards and five more receptions this season and Smith has missed all or parts of recent games due to injury.

Bell leads the nation with 101 receptions and 1,276 yards, but the UConn regular season is over and Lemon could put a dent in Bell’s receiving yardage lead with big showing against UCLA on Saturday. Bell’s Huskies also did not play one game against a ranked opponent this season

Lemon has five games this season with at least eight receptions and five games of at least 125 receiving yards and a touchdown. He was a one-man highlight reel for the Trojans against ranked opponents in Illinois and Iowa, catching a total of 21 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns in those two games.

Lemon has one more opportunity to make a regular season statement as his USC Trojans are set to host the UCLA Bruins this Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for a 4:30 pm PT kick.

The winner will be announced on Dec. 12 on The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN and then honored at the Biletnikoff Award Banquet & Celebration on March 28, 2026, in Tallahassee, Fla.

Lemon should become USC’s second-ever Biletnikoff Award winner, joining Marqise Lee, who won it for his outstanding 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.

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