USC wide receiver Makai Lemon has made history as the first player from the 2026 NFL Draft class to finalize his rookie contract with an NFL team.
According to NFL Network’s Thursday report, Lemon has completed his four-year agreement with the Philadelphia Eagles after being selected 20th overall in this year’s draft.
The former Trojan standout’s contract is valued at more than $20.81 million in guaranteed compensation, featuring an $11.5 million signing bonus. The agreement also contains a fifth-year option that the team can exercise.
During his final collegiate season, the 21-year-old earned the prestigious Biletnikoff Award as college football’s premier wide receiver, marking only the second time a USC player claimed the honor since Marqise Lee accomplished the feat in 2012.
Lemon’s impressive 2025 campaign included 79 receptions for 1,156 receiving yards and 11 touchdown catches while playing for Southern California.
The young receiver is expected to play an immediate role in Philadelphia’s offense, particularly with star wideout A.J. Brown’s potential exit looming. DeVonta Smith appears positioned to lead the Eagles’ receiving corps, which has also added veterans Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Elijah Moore to the roster.
