Ourlads' Profile:
2026 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about MAKAI LEMON:
USC | Hometown: Los Alamitos, CA | HT: 5110 | WT: 194 | 40 time: 4.50 | Hand: 0900 | Arm: 3058 | Wing: 7300
Two-year starter. Earned first-team All-American honors in addition to winning the Biletnikoff Award in 2025. Lemon began to break out toward the second half of his sophomore season and built off that as a full-time starter as a junior. There is a level of consistency and reliability to his game that shows up at both receiver (both inside and outside alignments) and returner (both kick and punt). He has a level of shifty movement and toughness that can create production after the catch but also contribute as a blocker. The lack of mistakes over the years (just one drop in 2024, two in 2025) and multiple avenues to production will give an NFL offense a blank canvas with options when constructing his role. Can be a reliable number two weapon for a quality passing attack who catches 70+ passes year in year out with return game impact. Quick and sudden off the line as a route runner who can make guys miss in press coverage. Carries that trait over to his impact with the ball in his hands. Moves with extreme balance and body control and capable of high-level acceleration and deceleration. Attacks and frames the ball with his hands. Incredibly reliable pass catcher who rarely let it hit the ground if he could get near it. Made several difficult catches in traffic showing strength, timing, and coordination. A true competitor who plays bigger than his size who did line up on the outside for nearly a quarter of his snaps. Size does limit his radius. Lacks an explosive trait when it comes to runaway speed; more quick than fast. Will telegraph some comeback routes and the pad level will rise with too much lateral movement to make tacklers miss.
2025 Stats: 79-1156, 14.6 ypr, 11 TD, 2 rushing TD, 8-144 KOR, 18.0 avg.. Draft projection: 1st round