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SportsFeature
Former Biletnikoff Winner Marquise Lee Graduates From USC After NFL Career
TL;DR
Marquise Lee, the first Biletnikoff Award winner from USC, has graduated after his NFL career. He previously led the nation in receptions and receiving yards during his standout 2012 season.
Key points
- Marquise Lee is a former Biletnikoff Award winner.
- He graduated from USC after his NFL career.
- Lee led the nation in receptions and receiving yards in 2012.
- Makai Lemon is the current Biletnikoff winner.
- Lemon was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2026.
Mentioned in this story
Marquise LeeMakai LemonUSCPhiladelphia Eagles
Biletnikoff AwardNFL Draft
USC football has produced two Biletnikoff winners, which is an award honoring the nation’s top college wide receiver of the year.
Makai Lemon is the reigning Biletnikoff Award winner and went on to be drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But before there was Lemon, star wide receiver Marquise Lee became the first Trojan to win the award in 2012.
Lee played three seasons with USC between 2011-13. As a sophomore in 2012, Lee caught a nation-leading 118 passes for 1,721 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was a unanimous AP All-American and the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year that season.
Oct 29, 2011; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver Marquise Lee (9) attempts to make a diving catch in the end zone in the second quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
After three seasons with the Trojans, the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Lee with the No. 39 pick in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Like many star athletes, including Lemon, Lee did not finish his college degree before beginning his NFL career.
But on Thursday, Lee officially graduated from USC after returning to college to complete his degree.
Q&A
What year did Marquise Lee win the Biletnikoff Award?
Marquise Lee won the Biletnikoff Award in 2012.
Which NFL team drafted the current Biletnikoff winner Makai Lemon?
Makai Lemon was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
What were Marquise Lee's stats during his 2012 season at USC?
In the 2012 season, Marquise Lee caught 118 passes for 1,721 yards and 14 touchdowns.
