Few programs in college football enter the season with expectations as high as the USC Trojans. With Lincoln Riley at the helm and a roster packed with talent, “SC” is poised to dominate in 2025. But among all the weapons at Riley’s disposal, two names stand out—Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane.
These two wide receivers would be one of the best duos in the country. Riley himself isn’t shy about his confidence in them, emphasizing that their chemistry with new QB Jayden Maiava could be the key to USC’s success.
Lincoln Riley Believes USC’s WR Corps Is Elite Heading Into 2025
USC head coach Lincoln Riley is confident that his team’s offense will be among the best in the country. The most credit goes to the return of Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, two of college football’s most dynamic wide receivers.
In a conversation with analyst Greg McElroy on the “Always College Football” podcast, he explained how those two pass-catchers will impact the Trojans’ second year in the Big Ten.
“We return our best two,” Riley told McElroy. “And those two guys, Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, are proven weapons at this level. I think with a full offseason, getting the continuity with Jayden [Maiava], I mean, those two guys are as good a pair of receivers as there is in the country, in my opinion.
He continued, “We’ve had the chance to be around a couple of really good ones, but these guys can really play.”
Both receivers were standout performers last season. The two former four-star 2023 recruits recorded 97 receptions for 1,289 yards and 15 touchdowns. Their chemistry with quarterback Jayden Maiava, who transferred from UNLV, will be crucial as USC looks to build on its offensive success.
Riley emphasized the importance of depth at wide receiver and tight end, ensuring that the team has multiple playmakers to support Maiava. He also highlighted the significance of a strong run game, which has historically been a key factor in USC’s offensive success.
Watching Ja’Kobi Lane, Zachariah Branch, Duce Robinson, and Makai Lemon for summer scouting and this catch from new Penn State receiver Kyron Hudson might be the craziest rep of them all.
Insane WR room at USC this past season. pic.twitter.com/Ane9j0ACjg
— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) May 7, 2025
“I think building the depth around those guys is going to be super important. Both at the tight end position, certainly the other receivers,” Riley said. “Which we’ve got a number of guys we feel like can certainly make big plays and be big factors for us.”
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Maiava transferred from UNLV to USC in early 2024 and took over as the starter after Miller Moss was benched. As time passed, he proved his worth, and his performance in the last four games of 2024 set his place within the team’s long-term vision.
Shortly after, Lincoln Riley confirmed that Maiava is QB1 heading into the 2025 season. As the head coach emphasized, he is fortunate that, stepping into the starting quarterback role, he will have some of the nation’s best receivers by his side.
Riley believes this offensive unit has the potential to be elite. With his confidence in the offense and the talent on board surrounding Maiava, the Trojans are poised to be a top contender in 2025.
This receiving corps, along with Maiava, will begin their season on August 30 against BS newcomer Missouri State in the Coliseum. Also on the schedule for Southern Cal is Purdue, Michigan State, Illinois, Michigan, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Iowa, Oregon, and cross-town rival UCLA.
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