USC wide receiver Makai Lemon (5-11, 195) might not be the biggest pro prospect, but he's long on confidence.
"My best trait? Probably the things that I can do," he told reporters Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. "I can catch, I can turn a 2-, 3-yard route into a big gain or even possibly a touchdown and then my blocking. The way I can impact the team without the ball in my hands."
In 12 games last season for the Trojans, Lemon hauled in 79 passes for 1,156 yards (14.6/rec) and had 11 TDs.
"I'm trying to get in the end zone," Lemon said. "I ain't going to let nobody in my way stop me from doing that, so the fastest way I can do that -- I'm going to do that for sure."
Lemon is considered one of the top receiving talents in this draft class. He could be a consideration for the Jets with their second pick, No. 16 overall, in the first round.
"I met with the Jets," he said. "It went good, it went smooth. They talked ball, trying to see who I am as a person."
The last time the Jets took a USC wideout in the first round was 1996 when the club made Keyshawn Johnson the No. 1 overall pick.
"He's one of them greats and much respect to him," Lemon said of Johnson. "It would be great to see him and chop it up with him one day."
Over the past three decades, the Jets have selected three receivers in Round 1. With the No. 16 overall pick in 2001, the Green & White took Miami WR Santana Moss. And then 21 years later, the Jets made Ohio State standout Garrett Wilson the No. 10 overall selection. Lemon was asked what it would be like to play with Wilson, who is one of five players in NFL history to record at least 80-plus receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in each of their first three seasons.
"That would be cool for sure," he said. "You know the things that I bring to the table, just a player who can do anything for the team."
In 33 games for the Trojans, Lemon hauled in 137 passes for 2,008 yards (14.7/rec) and had 14 TDs. When asked about his style of play, Lemon brought up another USC receiver making waves in the NFL with the Detroit Lions.
"I would say probably Amon-Ra St. Brown, the type of grit he plays with," he said. "The way he can have a positive impact on the team without the ball in his hands." he said.
Lemon, who had three games last season -- at Illinois (11-151-2 TD), vs. Northwestern (11-161-1 TD) and vs. Iowa (10-153-1 TD) with double-digit catches, emphasized having an unselfish approach.
"You ain't out there by yourself," he said. "You are out there to play for your teammates and with team success comes individual success, so just playing for one another I feel like is the most important thing."
Lemon said he'll participate in the gauntlet and some route-running drills in Indy. Sure-handed, competitive and confident, Lemon believes he will always find a way to succeed.
"Probably my field instincts and my unwavering ability just to never back down," he said. "If things don't go right in a row, I ain't going to ever back down to. I'm going to problem solve and I'm going to get through it."
Lemon has set his sights on domination whether he lines up in the slot or outside. He takes pride in impacting the game on every play.
"Just to dominate," Lemon said. "I take this game very serious. My fierce competitiveness. I take this game very serious, it's the way I feed my family. So, I'm not going to let nobody in front of me take that away from me."
