USC’s Makai Lemon and Bishop Fitzgerald Cement All-American Status in Breakout 2025 Season
LOS ANGELES - The USC Trojans are no strangers to producing elite talent, and this season, two of their brightest stars - wide receiver Makai Lemon and safety Bishop Fitzgerald - have earned national recognition for standout performances that helped define USC’s first year in the Big Ten.
Lemon and Fitzgerald were both named AFCA All-Americans, with Lemon landing on the First Team and Fitzgerald securing a Second Team spot. That’s just the start of a long list of accolades for the dynamic duo.
Makai Lemon: A Season for the Record Books
Let’s start with Makai Lemon, who didn’t just have a good year - he had a historic one. Lemon was named the 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner, recognizing him as the top wide receiver in college football.
He also earned First Team All-American honors from the Walter Camp Foundation, the Associated Press, On3, Sports Illustrated, The Athletic, and PFF. Pro Football Network placed him on their Third Team, but the consensus is clear: Lemon was the best in the nation at his position.
Statistically, he backed it up every step of the way. According to PFF, Lemon was the highest-graded wide receiver in college football with an overall grade of 90.4 and an elite 91.3 receiving grade.
He led the Power Four in receiving yards (1,156) and receiving yards per game (96.3). In the Big Ten, he dominated in receptions per game (6.6), yards after catch (502), and receiving touchdowns (11, tied for the lead).
Lemon was explosive and consistent - a rare combo in college football. He finished third in the Power Four with 19 catches of 20+ yards and tied for first nationally with 50 receptions that moved the chains. He wasn’t just racking up empty yards; he was making plays that mattered.
And then there was that game against Oregon. Lemon became the first Big Ten player since Minnesota’s Eric Decker in 2009 to catch two touchdowns and throw a touchdown in the same game.
That kind of versatility is what sets him apart. He ended the regular season with 11 receiving touchdowns, two rushing scores, and one passing TD - a stat line that reads like something out of a video game.
His five 100-yard games this season brought his career total to seven, and he hit double-digit receptions three times in 2025 alone. With 137 career catches for 2,008 yards and 14 touchdowns, Lemon now sits 22nd on USC’s all-time receptions list - and he’s not done yet.
Bishop Fitzgerald: A Ball-Hawking Force in the Secondary
While Lemon was lighting up defenses, Bishop Fitzgerald was shutting down opposing offenses. The hard-hitting safety was one of the most impactful defenders in the country, earning Second Team All-American honors from the AFCA, Walter Camp, AP, On3, Sports Illustrated, and The Athletic. He also made the PFF All-America Team and was named to the AP All-Big Ten First Team.
Fitzgerald finished the regular season leading the Big Ten - and ranking second nationally - with five interceptions. That’s the most by a Trojan since Calen Bullock in 2022. Even more impressive, three of those picks came inside USC’s red zone, showcasing his elite instincts and clutch playmaking ability.
And he did it all despite missing two games late in the season due to injury. Fitzgerald still finished fourth on the team in total tackles (51), with 34 of those being solo stops. He added 2.5 tackles for loss, including a sack, and broke up three passes.
His performance against Michigan was the kind of game that earns national attention. Fitzgerald picked off two passes - his second multi-interception game of the season - and helped lead USC to a 31-13 win in one of the program’s biggest victories since joining the Big Ten. That outing earned him Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honors and solidified his spot as a semifinalist for both the Jim Thorpe Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
A Legacy of Excellence Continues at USC
With these latest honors, USC now boasts 179 First Team All-Americans in program history - a testament to the school’s long-standing tradition of excellence. But this season wasn’t just about adding names to a list. It was about two players who elevated their games when it mattered most and became the heartbeat of a team navigating a new era in a new conference.
Makai Lemon and Bishop Fitzgerald didn’t just earn accolades - they made statements. And if this season is any indication, USC’s future remains as bright as ever.