Overlooked Biletnikoff contender, Makai Lemon is poised for huge USC season

There are two good candidates for the Biletnikoff Award on the USC roster this year. In the case of both Ja'Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon, most of the college football world is overlooking the tremendous year that both wideouts are about to have.

Focusing on Lemon, it should be something of a shut and sealed case as to how good he is. A three-year junior, he adds a great skill set to this coach Lincoln Riley offense. He is coming off a year in which he went for 764 receiving yards and three touchdowns. This came through an impressive 14.7 yards per reception.

Considering how Lemon will most likely see an even larger role in the system that he is familiar with in 2025, there is not a reason to believe that he will not go for 1,000 yards this season. Many would like to see the run game pick up, and Lane is someone who will also have a tremendous year. Even so, there should be plenty of targets for Lemon to push that magic number.

The nice part about Lemon's game is that there is an inherent floor in his game, and it is a pretty high one. His fundamentals are incredibly sound, and his route running will always make him an option. Then his athleticism allows Lemon to be a threat to gain that many more yards after the catch after getting open and making the grab.

Projecting forward for USC WR

Some are beginning to become more familiar with Lemon's game, as Shaquille O'Neal would say. Watch, this fall, many will act shocked and surprised when the receiver has a 200-yard and two-touchdown outing.

Add his abilities on special teams and highlight-worthy plays, and a lot of attention will be on the USC wide receiver. Trojan fans will always have known what Lemon was capable of; the rest of college football will soon catch up.