Makai Lemon Scouting Report | The Best WR in the Draft?

• LEMON Makai
• WR
• #6
• Age: 21
• 06/02/2004
• University of Southern California

Date	Scout	Height	Weight	Arm	Hand	Speed	Grade
02/23	Dylan Richardson	5’11	192	30 ½”	8 ¾”	4.50 (Pro Day)	6.9 1st Round

Critical Factors

Team Fit — Best as a slot or motion Z receiver in a spread offense. Excellent in motion and on quick hitting concepts such as crossers, option routes, screens, and deep overs. Offensive coordinators can manufacture touches for him in space.

Athletic Ability — Elite short area quickness and acceleration. Loose hips and sudden change of direction ability allow him to separate consistently against man coverage.

Competitiveness — High effort player who attacks the ball and competes in traffic despite a smaller frame. Dangerous with the ball in his hands and willing to work across the middle.

Production — Career: 162 REC / 2,410 YDS / 23 TD || 2025: 82 REC / 1,215 YDS / 11 TD

Athletic Traits

Speed (6.6)  – Explosive acceleration and strong vertical slot speed. Capable of separating quickly off the line and threatening defenses vertically from the slot. No long speed.

Size (6.1) – Undersized for a traditional outside receiver. Frame limits contested catch situations against larger defensive backs. Limited catch radius.

YAC (6.8) – Excellent run after catch ability. Vision and agility to create explosives.

Balance (6.8) – Maintains body control at high speed and can adjust to off target throws. Excellent awareness near the sideline.

Release (6.8) – Quick feet off line. Will get shadowed without contact at times. Can struggle when larger corners land early contact and disrupt timing at the line.

Routes (6.6) – Advanced route runner. Understands leverage and pacing. Creates separation through sudden breaks and sharp cuts.

Hands (7.0) – Reliable hands. Excellent tracking. Aggressive at the catch point.

Run Blocking (6.3) – Competitive but limited by size. Willing to engage defenders.

Durability – Left game early vs Michigan after suffering concussion on a punt return in September 2024 and was limited during the start of spring practice in April 2025 with a hamstring injury.

Special Teams – Provides value as a potential punt returner.

Strengths

Elite separation ability. Excellent hands and tracking. Explosive acceleration during routes. Sudden change of direction. Advanced route pacing and leverage awareness. Versatile alignment in slot or motion roles

Weaknesses

Limited size and catch radius. Smaller target for QB. Can be disrupted by physical corners at the line. Potentially limited to slot.

Games Viewed

GA Southern @ USC 2025 || USC @ Notre Dame 2025 || USC @ Illinois 2025 || Iowa @ USC 2025 || Notre Dame @ USC 2024 || USC @ Oregon 2025 || 

Projection: Day 1 Starter. Immediate impact. Projects slot role.
Draft Range: Round 1
Comparison: Amon-Ra St. Brown

Summary 

Dynamic USC receiver who functions as a primary slot. Wins with quickness, acceleration, and elite hands ability.

Lemon consistently creates throwing windows through elite short area quickness and strong understanding of leverage. His ability to generate yards after the catch makes him a dangerous offensive weapon when touches are manufactured in space.

While his size limits him as a boundary receiver, his release, burst, and route running provide immediate value in modern spread offenses.

Will be a QB’s best friend.

College Game History

YEAR	COLLEGE	STARTED	PLAYED	MISSED
2023	USC	0	11	0
2024	USC	11	11	0
2025	USC	11	12	0