USC’s Makai Lemon and Bishop Fitzgerald Named AP First-Team All-Americans After Stellar 2025 Seasons
LOS ANGELES - USC football just added two more names to its storied All-American legacy. Wide receiver Makai Lemon and safety Bishop Fitzgerald have been named Associated Press First-Team All-Americans, capping off dominant 2025 campaigns on opposite sides of the ball.
This recognition comes on the heels of both players earning spots on the Walter Camp All-American First Team last week, pushing USC’s all-time total to 179 First-Team All-Americans - a number that speaks to the program’s long-standing tradition of excellence.
Makai Lemon: The Nation’s Most Dangerous Receiver
Let’s start with the headliner. Makai Lemon didn’t just have a good season - he had the season.
The junior wideout took home the 2025 Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's top receiver, and it’s not hard to see why. According to Pro Football Focus, Lemon was the highest-graded wide receiver in college football this year, earning an overall grade of 90.4 and a nation-leading receiving grade of 91.3.
That’s elite territory.
Lemon led the Power Four conferences in receiving yards (1,156) and receiving yards per game (96.3), and he wasn’t just piling up empty stats - he was a consistent, game-changing presence. He topped the Big Ten in receptions per game (6.6), yards after the catch (502), and tied for the most receiving touchdowns (11). His ability to move the chains was unmatched, finishing tied for first in the country with 50 catches that resulted in first downs.
And he wasn’t just catching passes - Lemon was doing it all. He added two rushing touchdowns and even threw a touchdown pass this season.
Against Oregon, he became the first Big Ten player since 2009 to catch two touchdowns and throw one in the same game. That kind of versatility is rare, and it’s a big reason why he’s been racking up All-American honors from outlets like On3, The Athletic, and PFF.
Lemon finished the regular season with five 100-yard receiving games - seven in his career - and hit double-digit receptions three times in 2025. His career numbers are stacking up quickly: 137 receptions, 2,008 yards (14.7 yards per catch), and 14 touchdowns.
He’s already cracked USC’s top 25 in career receptions, sitting at No. 22.
Bishop Fitzgerald: The Ballhawk in the Back End
On the other side of the ball, Bishop Fitzgerald anchored the Trojans' secondary with a season that made him one of the most feared safeties in the country. Fitzgerald led the Big Ten - and ranked second nationally - with five interceptions, the most by a USC player since Calen Bullock in 2022.
Even more impressive? Three of those picks came in the red zone, where turnovers are game-changers.
Despite missing two games late in the year due to injury, Fitzgerald still finished fourth on the team with 51 total tackles, including 34 solo stops. He added 2.5 tackles for loss (including a sack) and three pass breakups. His knack for making timely plays was on full display against Michigan, where he snagged two interceptions and helped USC secure a statement 31-13 win - a performance that earned him Bronko Nagurski National Player of the Week honors.
Fitzgerald’s impact didn’t go unnoticed. He was a semifinalist for both the Jim Thorpe Award (nation’s top defensive back) and the Lott IMPACT Trophy, further cementing his status as one of college football’s premier defenders.
A Bright Finish for USC in the Big Ten Era
For USC, this season marked a major step forward in its transition to the Big Ten, and players like Lemon and Fitzgerald were at the heart of it. Both earned AP All-Big Ten First Team honors and were recognized by multiple national outlets for their standout seasons.
These accolades aren’t just personal milestones - they’re a reflection of the kind of talent USC continues to develop and the direction the program is heading under the national spotlight. With two First-Team All-Americans leading the way, the Trojans showed they can still produce elite talent at a national level, even in a new conference.
And with Lemon and Fitzgerald setting the tone, USC’s future looks every bit as bright as its tradition-rich past.