Summer is here, and it is everyone’s favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Bucs fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Tampa Bay.
Are we going to write about quarterbacks? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Bucs, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Bucs fans can be the most informed fans.
So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall.
Player Information
Player: Makai Lemon
School: USC
Height/Weight: 5-11/190 lbs.
Player Background
– 5-Star Recruit
– Friends with Malachi Nelson and committed to Oklahoma before flipping to USC with him
– Under Armour All-American
– Third-Team All-Big Ten in 2024
Career Stats Heading into the 2025 Season
– 58 Receptions
– 852 Receiving Yards
– 14.7 Yards Per Reception
– 3 Touchdowns
Notable PFF Numbers Heading into the 2025 Season
– 73.3 PFF Receiving Grade
– 7.4 Yards After Contact Per Reception
– 2.89 Yards Per Route Run
– Average Depth of Target of 9.7 Yards
– 6 Contested Catches
Player Traits
– Excellent awareness to work the sideline and middle of the field
– Strong hands to keep possession through contact
– Separates well vertically and at the line
– Can surprise you with his catch radius
– Good release off the snap
Player Summary
Makai Lemon is the king of the USC passing attack, and for good reason. The Trojan wide receiver does a tremendous job running a dynamic route tree, and it allows for Lincoln Riley to use him in a variety of ways. I appreciate his awareness working the sideline, the middle of the field, and as a ball carrier. Lemon can make defenders miss in space, or he can be more physical than they and maintain possession through physical catches. Whatever you ask of Lemon, he can do it, he is a very fun wide receiver prospect to watch this fall.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2026 NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: Makai Lemon, WR, USC