One Thing’s For Certain: Makai Lemon
Natalie Miller, USC Football Communications Student Assistant
11/29/2025
If you have been watching USC football this season, you may have found yourself asking: What can’t Makai Lemon do?
The junior wideout has become one of the Trojans’ most dynamic and versatile players, constantly delivering big plays in crucial moments and displaying a maturity beyond his years.
The Biletnikoff finalist even claims himself a good singer with an ear for music.
“I feel like if I wasn't doing football, I would be involved in music somehow,” Lemon said with a smile. It fits his on-field performances: adaptive and always in rhythm.
So, the answer really is…nothing.
Lemon leads the Power Four in receiving yards (1,124), receiving yards per game (102.2), and first downs by a receiver (49). He also leads the Big Ten in receiving TDs (10) and receptions per game (7.09) and yards after catch (502). Surpassing 1,000 yards in USC’s game against Iowa, Lemon has cemented himself as one of USC’s most reliable starters, with consistent explosive plays.
But Lemon’s path to WR1 wasn’t linear.
“My journey wasn't how I expected it to be coming out of high school,” he said. As a USC freshman, Lemon predominately played on special teams and even as a defensive back due to depth at the position. Lemon embraced those roles for the betterment of the team, even though it wasn’t what he had originally imagined.
“When the opportunity presented itself my sophomore year, I went in at receiver and the rest is history,” he said.
That year of grinding shaped him into a better receiver and with an even better mindset. He credits a lot of his success to spending time on the defensive side of the ball.
“I’m a receiver at heart,” said Lemon. “But playing defensive back helped me understand what the other side is thinking and what they are going to do.”
That bigger-picture mindset is also part of what makes Lemon so special. He believes that there is purpose behind adversity.
“Every situation you are put in is for a reason,” he said. “I try to get whatever I can out of any situation.”
Even as he accumulated five Midseason All-American First Team honors, his humility never wavered. Each touchdown is never about himself; he lets the gravity defying catches speak for themselves.
“I celebrate with my teammates and get ready to do it again,” said Lemon.
This mindset didn't just come from his time spent on defense, but it was first taught to him by his older sister, Aliyah.
“I get most of my traits from her,” he explained. Lemon, the baby of the family, has always looked up to his sister six years his senior.
“She never complains and perseveres through any tough situation that comes her way,” he said proudly. “I really admire her for that.”
His family is his foundation and inspiration.
“I love my Hawaiian culture; it’s unique and family oriented,” he said. As a Southern California native, his family always makes it a point to come to his games.
He brings those character qualities of perseverance and showing up for people into the locker room. According to Lemon, his “all effort, no ego” mentality is what has gotten him this far and is what will carry him to the NFL.
“I know it seems cliché, but it's all about never giving up and believing in yourself,” he said.
“It’s similar to golf,” – yet another talent of Lemon’s – “your next swing is your best swing,” he said. “Just how your next play is your best play.”
For his teammates, that's exactly what makes him a leader – not because he talks about it, but he lives it.
“I consider myself a lead-by-example type of leader,” he said. “I’m not too talkative, but I put the work in.”
Lemon and fellow star wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane have made quite the duo this season.
“I’m really close with Ja’Kobi. He’s a real friend on and off the field,” said Lemon. “Building that relationship off of the field has turned it more into a brotherhood.”
While still competitors in the wide receiver room, Lemon and Lane are each other’s biggest supporters. Lane has publicly advocated for Lemon to receive the Biletnikoff Award, presented to the nation’s best receiver.
“I’m blessed to be in the position that I’m in, but I don't pay too much mind to it,” Lemon said humbly. “Trophies and awards don't affect the way I play on the field.”
His on-field philosophy is simple: “I attack the ball instead of letting the ball come to me.” It’s that driven, unshakable mindset that has put him on the national stage.
Whether he is throwing a touchdown pass, blasting a drive on the course, making an elite Spotify playlist, blocking for a teammate or mossing a defensive back, there really is nothing Makai Lemon can’t do.
His teammate, wide receiver Asante Das, said it best, “There are three things that are certain in life: you got death, you got taxes and that No. 6 is going to get in the endzone.”
