Trojans by position: USC WR room

The third installment of the Trojans By Position series takes us to one of the most talented and competitive units on USC's 2025 roster, the wide receiver room. And let’s be honest, picking the most important player here wasn’t easy. After plenty of deliberation, and ultimately a gut feeling, the spotlight lands on the big number eight, JaKobi Lane.

Let’s make one thing crystal clear before going any further: both Lane and his pass-catching counterpart, Makai Lemon, are alpha dogs in this group. This isn’t a case of one star towering over the rest. This is about a player whose moment feels imminent. USC will have two of the most talented wide receivers in the conference and will have plenty of opportunities to make a national splash as well.

Lane, who originally hails from Mesa, AZ, was part of an ultra-talented WR recruiting class that included Zachariah Branch and Duce Robinson. Lemon also joined Lane in that cycle. With Branch and Robinson gone, there’s little doubt that Lane can pick up right where he left off at the end of last year’s Las Vegas Bowl and continue a monumental trajectory into the elite pass-catcher category nationally. For what it’s worth, I’m of the opinion that Lane is already at that level within the conference.

Last season, Lane hauled in 43 receptions for over 500 yards, averaging 12.2 yards per catch. But the most important stat? His 12 touchdowns, which ranked second in the Big Ten. At 6'4" and 200 pounds, Lane was a massive target for both Miller Moss and Jayden Maiava, consistently finding the end zone throughout the season. He was especially dominant in marquee matchups by recording three touchdowns each against Notre Dame and Texas A&M, with the latter performance helping spark USC’s comeback win in the Las Vegas Bowl. Lane also came through in rivalry play, hauling in the game-winning touchdown against UCLA at the Rose Bowl. In total, he recorded three multi-touchdown games, with the third coming against Wisconsin, where he found the end zone twice.

Ultimate red zone target for USC

The main reason Lane was selected for this series and within this position group is because of what he represents. Makai Lemon is widely considered the more polished receiver and has a real shot at being a top NFL Draft selection next season. In fact, Lemon is a big part of why the departure of Zachariah Branch feels manageable. But Lane represents the difference between a great offense and an elite one. Having a big, reliable target, especially in the red zone, is exactly what USC’s offense will need when things tighten up inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Lane can be that ultimate differentiator and safety blanket for Jayden Maiava, who’s stepping into his first full season as the Trojans’ starting quarterback.

Lane brings with him a unique combination of swagger, reputation, and demeanor that demands the ball because when he gets it, electricity is never far behind. Make no mistake: in a city full of stars, JaKobi Lane can be the biggest, both literally and figuratively.