The Biletnikoff Award winner as college football's top receiver, taken 20th overall by the Eagles after the team traded up to get him.
Makai Lemon turned a season and a half of starting snaps at USC into unanimous All-American honors and the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation's best wide receiver. The Eagles traded three picks to Dallas to move up to No. 20 overall and select the shifty, sure-handed slot receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Path to the league
Lemon played three seasons at USC, working his way into a full-time starting role for a year and a half. Philadelphia traded picks No. 23, 114 and 137 to the Dallas Cowboys to move up to No. 20 overall and select him in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
In his final USC season, Lemon posted 1,156 receiving yards and 13 total touchdowns, earning unanimous All-American honors and the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top wide receiver. At 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds, he built his game around elite hands, finishing his career with just a 2.8% drop rate, strong route feel and dangerous run-after-catch ability.
2025 season recap
Lemon's 2025 season at USC was his signature year, the 1,156-yard, 13-touchdown campaign that earned him the Biletnikoff Award and cemented him as a first-round pick. He declared for the draft afterward and was selected by the Eagles at No. 20 overall.
Sources
- USC Athletics: USC's Makai Lemon Selected by Philadelphia Eagles in First Round of 2026 NFL Draft
- Philadelphia Eagles: Eagles select WR Makai Lemon with the No. 20 overall pick
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Wide Receiver
- Group
- offense
- College
- USC
- Hometown
- Los Alamitos, CA, USA
- Age
- 22
- Status
- active
