USC wide receiver Makai Lemon has been named one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, presented annually to college football’s outstanding pass-catcher by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation.
Lemon, who's also a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award, boasts an exceptional grade of 90.6 overall and 91.6 as a receiver per Pro Football Focus. It's the highest among his position. He leads the Power Four conferences in receiving yards (1,124), receiving yards per game (102.2) and first-downs as a receiver (49).
In addition to those totals, Lemon leads the Big Ten in receiving touchdowns (10), receptions per game (7.09) and yards after the catch (502). He ranks second in the Power Four with 18 receptions of 20 or more yards.
Against Oregon, Lemon had one of his best games by catching two touchdown passes and throwing a third, becoming the first player in the Big Ten to record two receiving TDs and one passing TD in a single game since Eric Decker in 2009.
With five 100-yard receiving games this season and a career total of 136 receptions for 1,976 yards (14.5 average) and 13 touchdowns, Lemon also ranks 22nd on USC’s career receptions list. He seeks to become only the second Trojan to win the Biletnikoff Award, following Marqise Lee, the 2012 recipient.
The award winner will be announced Dec. 12 during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
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