There are seven athletes from USC among college football analyst Phil Steele’s four preseason All-Big Ten teams, released Monday.
Wide receiver Makai Lemon really got Steele’s attention.
Lemon earned second-team wide receiver honors and was named second-team kick returner, the only Trojan listed twice.
A rising junior, last season was a breakout year for Lemon. His kick returns were second-best in the Big Ten at 27.1 yards per average, behind Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen with 28 yards per average. Lemon’s 52 receptions on 764 yards were the team-high, and he ended 2024 with 1,460 all-purpose yards.
Rounding out the offensive selections from USC were safety Kamari Ramsey and cornerback DJ Harvey, both named to the third-team, and fourth-team wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane. Kicker Caden Chittenden earned third-team honors alongside long snapper Hank Pepper. On the defensive side, tackle Keeshawn Silver and linebacker Eric Gentry were each fourth-team selections.
The honors are a boost for USC and head coach Lincoln Riley, who may face troubles if the Trojans can’t reverse their one-score losses from last season.
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Riley is entering his third season at the helm in Los Angeles, where he had significant success in 2022 prior to the conference realignment. Last season, the Trojans finished No. 9 of 18 in the Big Ten with a 7-6 (4-5) record. A successful season would see USC going at least 8-4 overall (5-3 in conference), FanSided national analyst John Buhler wrote in May.
After leading Oklahoma to four straight SEC championships and playoff appearances, Riley is no stranger to coaching success or college football, but his job could be in jeopardy if USC doesn’t produce wins come fall.
Luckily for Riley, the Trojans won’t face Big Ten powerhouses Ohio State or Penn State. USC will however have tough battles on the road against Oregon and Notre Dame, and at home against Michigan.