Makai Lemon News, Rumors, Updates - USC Trojans

Pops again in Week 14 loss Lemon gathered in nine of 10 targets for 133 yards during Saturday's 49-35 defeat to Notre Dame.

Impact Lemon led the Trojans' receiving corps across the board and he logged career-highs in both catches and targets. This was due in some part to quarterback Jayden Maiava throwing a season-high 48 passes. But, the 5-foot-11 sophomore still caught all but one of his targets despite having Maiava complete just 56.2 percent of his passes. This also marked Lemon's second 100-yard receiving game of the year, and he finished the 2024 regular season with 46 catches (on 62 targets) for 665 yards and three touchdowns. He'll look to play a significant role during whichever bowl game USC participates in this postseason.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Scores 37-yard touchdown Week 10 Lemon posted eight receptions (on nine targets) for 70 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 26-21 defeat versus Washington.

Impact Lemon sparked the Trojans' brief rally in the second half, catching a pass before sprinting into the end zone for a 37-yard touchdown early in the third quarter. The sophomore wideout has been an explosive revelation in the Trojans' offense over the last four weeks, accumulating 26 catches (on 33 targets) for 366 yards and two touchdowns over this span. He's also become the team's primary kick returner over the last two games, as he appears to have cut into fellow sophomore Zachariah Branch's role as of late. Lemon will look to keep things rolling when the Trojans next play versus Nebraska on Saturday, Nov. 16.

NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Fully emerges Week 9 Lemon caught four of seven targets for 134 yards and one touchdown during Friday's 42-20 win over Rutgers.

Impact Lemon had the best game of his young career, starting with an 80-yard kickoff return that set up the Trojans' second score of the game. He then showed up huge on offense with two explosive catch-and-runs in the second half, recording a game-long 70-yard catch and a 40-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter. Lemon started off the season slow, but he's now accumulated 18 catches (on 24 targets) for 296 yards over the last three weeks. Lemon may be the explosive pass-catcher that the Trojans have badly needed this season. He'll look to make a big impact once again during next week's road game at Washington.

OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Racks up 89 yards in loss Lemon gathered in all eight targets for 89 yards during Saturday's 29-28 loss against Maryland.

Impact Lemon logged a season-high in receiving yards, and he logged at least eight targets for the second week in a row. The sophomore has scored just once this season with a score during the Week 2 blowout win versus Utah State. But, Lemon could be a viable fantasy option if he continues to get a significant share of the Trojans' targets moving forward. He'll look to keep this rolling versus Rutgers this coming Saturday.

OCTOBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Logs 73 yards Week 7 Lemon hauled in six of nine targets for 73 yards during Saturday's 33-30 overtime defeat against Penn State.

Impact Lemon finished with season-highs across the board in this chaotic OT thriller. The 5-foot-11 sophomore accrued seven catches on 13 targets while appearing in four of the first five games of the season. Trojans quarterback Miller Moss has now completed 63.7 percent of his 39 passing attempts per game this season. With no clear No. 1 or even No. 2 wideout for the Trojans, it's possible that Lemon could have more outlier performances this season. But, he's still vying for targets in what is a rather deep and talented USC receiving corps.

OCTOBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Three receptions for 37 yards Lemon (undisclosed) logged three receptions for 37 yards during USC's 24-17 loss Saturday at Minnesota.

Impact Saturday included Lemon equaling his 2024-best tally of receptions, three. Despite not logging a touchdown, the wideout recorded 37 yards, currently his most during an FBS game this year.

OCTOBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable Saturday Lemon (undisclosed) is listed as questionable ahead of Saturday's game against Minnesota.

Impact Lemon remains questionable to suit up for the Trojans after missing their last two games with an undisclosed injury. The 5-foot-11 sophomore started the season off recording four receptions for 45 yards and a score across USC's first two games. If Lemon is ultimately unable to return, his next opportunity to see the field would come against Penn State in Week 7.

OCTOBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Back at practice Lemon (undisclosed) is back at practice for the Trojans, Connor Morissette of 247Sports reports.

Impact Lemon got hurt against Michigan and didn't play the following week against Wisconsin. The receiver appears to be trending in the right direction, as he was spotted at the Trojans' practice Tuesday. The sophomore has four catches for 45 yards and a score this season.

OCTOBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Officially out versus Wisconsin Lemon (undisclosed) will not appear in Saturday's game versus Wisconsin, per the Big Ten availability report.

Impact Lemon was considered unlikely to play entering game day, so his out listing doesn't come as a major surprise. The Trojans will thus operate down some depth at wide receiver spot, with Lemon looking toward next week versus Minnesota for his next chance to return,

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Not expected back Saturday Lemon (undisclosed) is not expected to suit up in Week 5 against Wisconsin, Pete Nakos of On3.com reports.

Impact Lemon, who has been progressing well after exiting against Michigan following a scary injury, will likely need additional time before returning to the field. The 5-foot-11 sophomore totaled four receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown across the Trojans' first two games, getting involved early on in his second season with USC. Lemon's next opportunity to suit up would come against Minnesota in Week 6 if he is unable to return against Wisconsin.

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Recovering well after scary injury Lemon (head) continues to recover after exiting last week's game against Michigan with a head injury, Randall Sweet of Sports Illustrated reports.

Impact Lemon was able to fly back with the team after he was taken to the hospital during USC's Week 4 matchup with the Wolverines. The 5-foot-11 sophomore, who slammed his head into the ground on a punt coverage in the first quarter, seems unlikely to return this week against Wisconsin, but "he's rebounded back well" according to head coach Lincoln Riley. Lemon tallied four catches for 45 yards and a touchdown across the Trojans first two outings this season and he will look to make his return to the field later this season.

SEPTEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves game with injury Lemon left the Big House in an ambulance, per the CBS Sports broadcast.

Impact Lemon's injury obviously doesn't look great considering he left the stadium in an ambulance. The true sophomore wideout will have to wait for a diagnosis, but this should open the door for Duce Robinson to see more snaps.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Makai Lemon helped the whole USC coaching staff heading into 2024 Makai Lemon made Lincoln Riley’s life easier.

DECEMBER 30, 2023 • USATODAY.COM

Does not play in season finale Lemon (undisclosed) didn't play Saturday against UCLA.

Impact Lemon saw limited action throughout the season and didn't feature in the regular-season finale. Lemon ends his freshman year with four catches (on five targets) for 13 yards across four appearances.

NOVEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not dressed Saturday Lemon is not in uniform for Saturday's game against Washington, Shotgun Spratling of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Lemon has seen very limited action during his freshman season and it's unclear what's holding him out of action. He'll look to try and suit up next Saturday when the team travels to face Oregon.

NOVEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

What I learned at USC camp, Week 3: What about Makai Lemon? Will linebackers be ready? USC wrapped up the third and final week of preseason camp and is eight days away from it's opener. Here's what we've seen and heard.

AUGUST 18, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

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