USC Trojans prospect Makai Lemon is hands down a top-3 wide receiver in this year’s NFL draft. And even before the NFL Combine began, he was projected as an early first-round pick. Lemon impressed everyone with his on-field drills at the scouting combine, crushing The Gauntlet, route running, and even eliciting cheers for his deep pass catching skills. But something went wrong as well.
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During the interviews, Lemon appeared to stare at the cameras with a sinister look on his face. And while the social media page of the NFL on Fox interpreted this as a sign that the wide receiver was “locked in,” fans found it weird. Some joked that he seemed possessed. And it gets worse.
Former Steelers nose tackle Breiden Fehoko, who covers the sport and analyses the game on social media, reported that a scout told him Lemon “absolutely bombed” his interviews. The scout also told him that whoever advised the prospect to act in such a manner in the interview should be fired.
Jets insider Chris Nimbley confirmed this, saying that Lemon’s in-person interviews were a disaster, as per Play Like Jet. Nimbley added that the prospect did not come across well.
Several other online murmurs suggest that teams have taken the WR off their boards. And this sudden opinion change about a prospect reminded many NFL fans of none other than Shedeur Sanders, who was projected as a high first-round pick last year before enduring that infamous slide.
Shedeur’s draft stock took a hit after reports suggested that Shedeur acted arrogantly during his combine interviews. It was so severe that the QB fell to the fifth round. Fans are wondering if this will happen to Lemon as well.
so he should also fall to the fifth round
— h (@sdhddhddudby) March 2, 2026
“Shedeur 2.0 lmao,” another added. “Another cocky Shartdeur,” a third wrote.
He didn’t come across well at the podium either. Something is wrong with this kid
— Melz (@HMelz4) March 2, 2026
Now… are these reports credible? Not quite, as of now.
Yes, Lemon did seem a little off in his interview, but it’s just one instance. And as many fans suspect, these reports about the wideout may be an attempt to push him down the draft board for certain teams interested in him. Like the Jets at 16, as Lemon could very well be picked before that. Or the Steelers at 21.
Whatever the case may be, we’re also sure Lemon won’t fall as drastically as Sanders did. There are many wideout-needy teams this year, and Lemon has proven he can fill that void, granted his college success translates into the big league. Last year, he recorded 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in 12 games.
Lemon is a little short for a receiver, at 5’11” and 192 to 195 lbs. But he has been praised for elite ball tracking, grip on the ball, elite route running, and playmaking. If he can impress the scouts and teams at the Trojans’ pro day on Thursday, March 12, these murmurs will very likely amount to nothing.
