Makai Lemon Sends Clear Message After Damaging ‘Tanking’ Draft Rumors Surface

Former USC wide receiver denied the rumors that he tried to tank his draft stock during the NFL Combine.

Makai Lemon Sends Clear Message After Damaging ‘Tanking’ Draft Rumors Surface

USC WR Makai Lemon (Image via IMAGO/Twitter)

Makai Lemon is flying the USC flag high in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mock Drafts project the former Trojan as the third-best wide receiver in the draft, behind Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson. But Lemon also runs the risk of falling down the draft.

That’s because several scouts and NFL executives reportedly weren’t too happy with his behavior during the NFL Combine. Videos of Lemon’s awkward press conference went viral, and soon after, rumors started flowing on the internet that he might have acted that way to tank his draft stock.

Of course, there was never any hard proof to back up the claim. But it definitely bothered some teams. Lemon remains unbothered by the chatter. After helping out at a youth football camp at U.S. Steel Community Field in Hazelwood Green on Wednesday, Lemon gave his honest reaction to the reports.

My main takeaway is just really a learning experience, definitely. Just how to carry myself more professionally. I definitely didn’t expect [for the presser] to look like that, but you know, I’ll learn from it, definitely, and be better moving forward.

Makai Lemon told Brendan Howe of Steelers Now

Lemon made it clear that he never intended to tank his draft stock.

That’s for them to talk about. I ain’t got nothing.

Lemon said

Makai Lemon receives a generous endorsement from his former coach

Lemon picked USC over nearly a half-dozen schools. After making just 6 starts in his freshman year, he became a regular in year two, racking up 12 appearances, 52 receptions for 764 yards, and 3 touchdowns.

Makai Lemon Sends Clear Message After Damaging 'Tanking' Draft Rumors Surface
Makai Lemon (Image via IMAGO)

Lemon finally established himself as one of the best college receivers in his sophomore year. In 12 appearances, 11 of those being starts, Lemon accumulated 79 receptions for 1156 yards (14.6 yards per catch) and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed for two scores.

In three years, Lemon tallied 137 receptions for 2,008 yards and 14 touchdowns. USC head coach Lincoln Riley recently claimed that the 21-year-old is the most versatile receiver in the 2026 draft.

I think this guy’s the most versatile receiver in the country. I think he’s a scheme fit. You could make an argument that there’s really not a scheme in the league that he would not fit in with well.

Riley said on the Jim Rome Show (HT/Sports Illustrated)

Makai Lemon’s projected landing spot

According to Lemon’s combine stats, he’s 5’11” tall, has a handspan of 8 3⁄4, and completed his 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds. The Los Angeles Rams and the Pittsburgh Steelers are the two teams heavily linked with Lemon.

If the Rams pick him at 13, Lemon gets to stay in LA and be close to his home. However, Lemon seems to prefer the Steelers; at least that’s how it sounded when Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live asked Lemon to describe his pre-draft visit to Pittsburgh.

They really got to know me on the [Top] 30 visit. They seemed genuine. Everybody was great in the building.

Lemon said

DK Metcalf is the undisputed number one in Pittsburgh. Drafting Lemon will take some pressure off Metcalf’s shoulders.

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