Makai Lemon, a former USC receiver, is a top prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft after winning the 2025 Biletnikoff Award. Despite impressive stats, his performance at the NFL Scouting Combine raised concerns.
Key points
Makai Lemon is a former USC receiver.
He won the Biletnikoff Award in 2025.
Lemon had 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Former Southern California receiver Makai Lemon will be one of the highest-selected receivers of the 2026 NFL Draft after winning the Biletnikoff Award, which is given to college football's top receiver, in 2025.
While his ability on the field speaks for itself â 79 receptions for 1,156 yards with 11 touchdowns â he didn't quite help himself off the field at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
Lemon went viral for the wrong reasons during interview sessions with reporters before the combine, as his demeanor was mocked by the world of sports media. He has since apologized and said he has learned from the ensuing concerns following his interview.
"It was a learning experience, definitely," he told reporters on Wednesday, April 22, a day before the NFL draft. "How to carry myself more professionally. I definitely didn't expect it to look like that, but I'll learn from it and be better moving forward."
It's unclear if the interview session will have any impact on his draft stock, but he's still expected to be a first-round pick, regardless. Here's a look back at his interview session and what happened:
New Orleans Saints
Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints and Chris Olave #12 celebrate a touchdown during the second half against the Carolina Panthers in the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 09, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Q&A
What were Makai Lemon's stats in college football?
Makai Lemon recorded 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns during his college career.
Why did Makai Lemon go viral during the NFL combine?
Makai Lemon's interview at the NFL Scouting Combine drew attention, although the specifics of why he went viral are not detailed.
What award did Makai Lemon win in 2025?
Makai Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award in 2025, recognizing him as the top receiver in college football.
When is the 2026 NFL Draft scheduled?
The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place in April 2026.
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Washington Commanders
Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders celebrates with Jayden Daniels #5 after catching a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Field on January 18, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan.
New York Giants
Jaxson Dart #6 and Cam Skattebo #44 of the New York Giants celebrate after Skattebo carried the ball into the endzone for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on October 09, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Tennessee Titans
Head coach Brian Callahan talks with Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 05, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona.
Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns reacts to a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott #4 and CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate after their touchdown connection against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on November 27, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.
Las Vegas Raiders
Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates after a missed field goal during the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 07, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Miami Dolphins
De'Von Achane #28 of the Miami Dolphins rushes for yards against Brandin Echols #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter of the game at Acrisure Stadium on December 15, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Andy Reid interact against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on September 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
New York Jets
Head coach Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets looks on during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between New York Jets and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 09, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
1 / 10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
New Orleans Saints
Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints and Chris Olave #12 celebrate a touchdown during the second half against the Carolina Panthers in the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 09, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
1 / 10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
New Orleans Saints
Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints and Chris Olave #12 celebrate a touchdown during the second half against the Carolina Panthers in the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 09, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
2 / 10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
Washington Commanders
Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders celebrates with Jayden Daniels #5 after catching a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Field on January 18, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan.
3 / 10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
New York Giants
Jaxson Dart #6 and Cam Skattebo #44 of the New York Giants celebrate after Skattebo carried the ball into the endzone for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on October 09, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
4 / 10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
Tennessee Titans
Head coach Brian Callahan talks with Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 05, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona.
5 / 10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns reacts to a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
6 / 10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott #4 and CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate after their touchdown connection against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on November 27, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.
7 / 10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
Las Vegas Raiders
Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates after a missed field goal during the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 07, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
8 / 10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
Miami Dolphins
De'Von Achane #28 of the Miami Dolphins rushes for yards against Brandin Echols #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter of the game at Acrisure Stadium on December 15, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
9 / 10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Andy Reid interact against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on September 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
10 / 10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
New York Jets
Head coach Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets looks on during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between New York Jets and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 09, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Makai Lemon NFL combine interview, revisited
Nothing Lemon said during his NFL Scouting Combine interview with reporters was out of the ordinary. It was his posture and demeanor that made his session go viral.
Lemon answered questions with a stern look on his face, while swaying back and forth at times. The most viral clip of Lemon's interview came when he was asked what NFL receiver he looks up to. Some of his eye contact also grabbed attention.
"I'd probably say Amon-Ra St. Brown," Lemon said in the clip, which has over 10 million views on X. "The type of grit he plays with, the way he can have a positive impact on the team without the ball in his hands."
Some have even speculated Lemon was purposely tanking his NFL draft stock, a claim he struck down on April 22.
âThatâs for them to talk about,â Lemon said on April 22. âI ainât got nothing. I canât really tell them what to say and stuff like that. I know what I did as a person, as a player, and the teams know whatâs going on.â
Steelers general manager Omar Khan said on April 20 that he was impressed by Lemon in the team's one-one-one interview with the receiver, however.
âHe was outstanding,â Khan said. âHe really was. We had a chance to meet him in (Indianapolis) and then he was here and spent some quality time with him. It was excellent time spent.â
Makai Lemon NFL mock draft projection
Lemon is projected as the No. 11 overall pick to the Miami Dolphins in USA TODAY's latest mock draft as the third receiver off the board, behind Ohio State's Carnell Tate and Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson.
