{"id":781325,"date":"2026-02-28T03:59:20","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T03:59:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/781325\/"},"modified":"2026-02-28T03:59:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T03:59:20","slug":"ex-usc-receiver-makai-lemon-goes-viral-over-nfl-combine-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/781325\/","title":{"rendered":"Ex-USC receiver Makai Lemon goes viral over NFL Combine interview"},"content":{"rendered":"

Friday offered up the chance for many NFL fans to get their first glimpse of Makai Lemon, and it\u2019s safe to say more than a few million were intrigued by what they saw.<\/p>\n

The former USC standout \u2014 a projected first-round pick \u2014 met with a throng of reporters at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis for the first time since he announced his intentions to leave college<\/a> for the draft, and at least one of his answers to questions had football aficionados mesmerized.<\/p>\n

While at a podium wearing his combine-issued No. 25 hoodie, Lemon was asked which NFL player he modeled his game after.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019d probably say Amon-Ra St. Brown<\/a>,\u201d Lemon said. \u201cThe type of grit he plays with. The way he can have a positive impact on the team without the ball in his hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SouthernMakai Lemon met with reporters at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis on Friday. AP<\/p>\n

The response was hardly surprising. St. Brown, after all, is an SC alum and one of the best wideouts in the NFL<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But the way the 21-year-old looked and moved while speaking with the journalist sent social media into a frenzy.<\/p>\n

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Over 5.5 million people viewed one of the videos of the press conference on X, and hundreds left comments on it, with many suggesting he was perhaps \u201ctoo locked in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"MakaiMakai Lemon was a superstar at USC, winning the Biletnikoff Award last year. Getty Images<\/p>\n

Regardless, Lemon has a chance to prove this week he\u2019s deserving of a top-10 pick.<\/p>\n

Receivers are scheduled to work out in on-field drills on Saturday, and Lemon \u2014 the 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner \u2014 is expected to participate.<\/p>\n

A good workout, in addition to a now-viral clip, might be all he needs to take the next step toward NFL stardom.<\/p>\n

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