Sixteen Trojans Earn All-Big Ten Honors as USC Continues to Shine

USC football continues to make its mark in the Big Ten Conference, with 16 Trojans earning All-Big Ten honors when the conference released its postseason awards on Wednesday.

Leading the way were standout wide receiver Makai Lemon and safety Bishop Fitzgerald, who both swept First Team All-Big Ten recognition from coaches and media — a rare consensus honor that underscores their dominance on both sides of the ball.

Tight end Lake McRee earned Second Team honors from both groups, while the third-team and honorable-mention lists featured a deep and balanced group of Trojans.

First Team Honorees

• WR Makai Lemon (Coaches & Media)

• S Bishop Fitzgerald (Coaches & Media)

Second Team

• TE Lake McRee (Coaches & Media)

Third Team

• WR Ja’Kobi Lane (Media)

• QB Jayden Maiava (Coaches)

• K Ryon Sayeri (Coaches)

Honorable Mention

• LB Eric Gentry

• DE Anthony Lucas

• TE Walker Lyons

• RB King Miller

• OL Alani Noa

• SNP Hank Pepper (Media)

• S Kamari Ramsey

• OL Tobias Raymond

• OL Justin Tauanuu

• DT Devan Thompkins

Additionally, offensive lineman Tobias Raymond was named USC’s recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, recognizing his exemplary conduct and leadership both on and off the field.

Makai Lemon: The Nation’s Top Receiver

Lemon has been nothing short of spectacular in 2025, establishing himself as college football’s premier wideout. According to Pro Football Focus, Lemon owns the highest overall grade (90.4) and highest receiving grade (91.3) among all wide receivers in the country.

The Biletnikoff Award finalist leads all Power Four receivers with 1,156 receiving yards and 96.3 yards per game, while pacing the Big Ten in receptions per game (6.6), yards after catch (502), and receiving touchdowns (11). His 50 receptions resulting in first downs are tied for the national lead, and his 19 catches of 20+ yards rank third among Power Four wideouts.

Lemon has already posted five 100-yard games this season (seven in his career) and became the first Big Ten player since 2009 to catch two touchdowns and throw a touchdown pass in the same game (against Oregon). The junior now has 137 career receptions for 2,008 yards and sits 22nd on USC’s all-time receptions list.

Bishop Fitzgerald: Ball-Hawking Safety

On the defensive side, Fitzgerald has terrorized opposing quarterbacks, leading the Big Ten and ranking No. 2 nationally with five interceptions — the most by a Trojan since 2022. Three of those picks came inside USC’s red zone.

Despite missing two games late in the season due to injury, the Jim Thorpe Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy semifinalist still ranks fourth on the team with 51 tackles (34 solo), including 2.5 for loss and a sack. His two-interception performance against Michigan earned him Bronko Nagurski National Player of the Week honors and helped secure a 31-13 Trojan victory.

Supporting Cast Shines

• TE Lake McRee ranks fourth among Big Ten tight ends in receiving yards and tenth among all conference receivers in yards per catch (15.0), finishing the regular season with 450 yards and 4 touchdowns.

• WR Ja’Kobi Lane, known for highlight-reel one-handed grabs, posted 49 receptions for 745 yards and 4 scores, with his 15.2 yards per catch ranking ninth in the Big Ten.

• QB Jayden Maiava leads the conference in passing yards (3,431), yards per game (285.9), and total offense (298.4), while ranking No. 2 nationally in QBR (91.2) and big-time throws (26).

• Walk-on kicker Ryon Sayeri, a Lou Groza Award semifinalist, converted 17-of-21 field goals (81.0%), including a perfect 6-of-6 from 40+ yards, and leads the Big Ten with 58 touchbacks.

As USC prepares for postseason play, this All-Big Ten haul reinforces the Trojans’ status as a powerhouse in the conference under Lincoln Riley.