Sports
Chelsea players want new manager to be big character who can command respect
Chelsea players want a new manager with strong character after Rosenior's dismissal.
The Guardian Sport1 min read
Sports
Makai Lemon combine interviews: Why USC WR went viral for stage presence
TL;DR
Makai Lemon's interviews at the NFL Combine gained attention for his engaging stage presence and body language. His performance has sparked both interest and criticism as he prepares for the NFL Draft.
Key points
- Makai Lemon is a premier prospect for the NFL Draft.
- His interviews at the NFL Combine went viral for his stage presence.
- Criticism focused on his body language during the press conference.
- Lemon maintained strong eye contact and shifted movements.
Mentioned in this story
USC
Makai Lemon
Makai Lemon combine interviews: Why USC WR went viral for stage presence originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Makai Lemon's time at USC bolstered his place one of the premier prospects for this year's NFL Draft.
With a crowd full of questions back on February 27, several of Lemon's answers have now been circling the internet and garnering criticism from some.
The criticisms are not about his answers to the questions, per se, but about his body language throughout the press conference. Lemon had a tendency to shift around, move side-to-side and keep strong eye contact with reporters.
Here's more about Lemon's combine process and how his draft stock could be affected.
MORE:The Sporting News 2025 College Football All-America Team, including Lemon, Pavia, Love
Makai Lemon combine interview video
This clip specifically is one of two that has gone viral on social media over a month after the initial press conference.
Criticism has come both from his inability to stand still for much of the press conference, as well as a perceived "intensity" in his eye contact and overall body language.
It's unclear what the cause is for this, but this shifting while standing can be seen elsewhere. During USC's Pro Day interview with Lemon and team reporter Keely Eure, Lemon displays this same tendency to shift around often.
Lemon was asked about the combine press conference Wednesday. He told PennLive's Nick Farabaugh, "It was a learning experience, definitely, just how to carry myself more professionally. I definitely didn't expect it to look like that, but I'll learn from it."
NFL scouts react to Makai Lemon's combine interviews
Q&A
What did Makai Lemon say during his NFL Combine interviews?
Makai Lemon's interviews featured various responses to questions, but specific details about his answers were not the focus of the criticism.
Why did Makai Lemon's body language attract criticism?
Critics noted that Lemon's shifting movements and strong eye contact during the press conference were unusual and became a topic of discussion online.
How could Makai Lemon's combine performance impact his NFL Draft stock?
Lemon's engaging presence may enhance his visibility as a prospect, but the mixed reactions to his body language could also influence perceptions among teams.
What position does Makai Lemon play at USC?
Makai Lemon plays as a wide receiver (WR) at USC.
