The USC football program is often well represented in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Trojans will be represented by wide receiver Makai Lemon this year. He is widely regarded as one of the top receiver prospects in this year’s draft class. Unfortunately, some NFL figures are worried about his draft stock just weeks before the draft kicks off.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler spoke to league scouts and executives about various prospects ahead of the draft. Multiple sources expressed concerns about Lemon following some rough interviews during the pre-draft process.
“What are you getting?” a personnel executive with an NFL team asked. “I love that dude, watching him last year, but evaluating him through the spring, which version of this player will show up in my building? He didn’t test great, had a couple of rough interviews from what I’ve been told. Seems like something is missing, or maybe I’m missing something.”
Fowler noted that another source questioned Lemon’s recall of USC’s offense during a team interview. That could certainly set off alarm bells for some NFL teams.
But the teams who can live with Lemon’s flaws could end up landing a wide receiver with incredible potential.
Lemon had a breakout season in 2025 with the Trojans, hauling in 79 receptions for 1,156 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. He boasts incredible contact balance, route running skills, and ability to gain yards after the catch. It should be no surprise that Lemon is often compared to fellow USC product Amon-Ra St. Brown.
There’s no question that Lemon will draw interest from at least a few NFL teams based on his strong resume.
However, this concerning ESPN report suggests that Lemon could go off the board lower than many mock drafts project.
The USC football program is often well represented in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Trojans will be represented by wide receiver Makai Lemon this year. He is widely regarded as one of the top receiver prospects in this year’s draft class. Unfortunately, some NFL figures are worried about his draft stock just weeks before the draft kicks off.
