USC football has produced two Biletnikoff winners, which is an award honoring the nation’s top college wide receiver of the year.

Makai Lemon is the reigning Biletnikoff Award winner and went on to be drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But before there was Lemon, star wide receiver Marquise Lee became the first Trojan to win the award in 2012.

Lee played three seasons with USC between 2011-13. As a sophomore in 2012, Lee caught a nation-leading 118 passes for 1,721 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was a unanimous AP All-American and the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year that season.

After three seasons with the Trojans, the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Lee with the No. 39 pick in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Like many star athletes, including Lemon, Lee did not finish his college degree before beginning his NFL career.

But on Thursday, Lee officially graduated from USC after returning to college to complete his degree.

Lee Spoke At USC’s Student-Athlete Commencement Ceremony

Lee also gave a speech at USC’s student-athlete commencement ceremony on Thursday. He talked about how he left USC with a 1.8 GPA but came back and finished with all “A’s”.

“To the graduating class, dream big, but stay grounded. Bet on yourself even when nobody else does. Don’t let failure convince you that your story is over,” Lee said in the speech.

Lee is now considering getting a Master’s degree.

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

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