“Running like Dave Portnoy” “Painful to watch”: NFL fans mock Makai Lemon over “flat footed” 40-YD dash at USC Pro Day
Makai Lemon is one of the participants at the 2026 USC Trojans Pro Day. The wide receiver participated in a series of drills, including but not limited to the 40-yard dash.
Bridget Condon posted a clip on X of the promising wide receiver participating in the dash at the event. NFL fans took to the comment section to react.
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A fan said, “Why he running like Portnoy.”
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Another added, “This is painful to watch as a track coach.”
One wrote, “Yikes looks flat footed.”
Some fans were less critical.
One said, “4.48-4.53 they say, all I know is when you turn on the tape he is making guys miss and pulling away from dudes with his on field play speed.”
Another wrote, “These dudes in the comments going off one video with bad angle calling him overrated, they didnt watch what he was doing last season.”
One chipped in, saying, “Idc what he does. He’s WR1 and it’s very obvious.”
According to Yahoo Sports, a member of the Los Angeles Rams coaching staff was at the Pro Day timing Lemon’s runs. He reportedly ran times in the range of 4.48 and 4.53 seconds.
The report adds that while the USC wideout isn’t an overly gifted athlete, he’s tough after the catch and has strong hands.
Makai Lemon projected as first-round pick in 2026 draft
Makai Lemon spent his entire collegiate football career with the USC Trojans. He was a five-star recruit and turned down an offer from the Oklahoma Sooners to play for Lincoln Riley’s Trojans.
CBS Sports grades Lemon as the fourth-best wide receiver in the 2026 draft class and the 18th overall prospect. His body type is compared to Curtis Samuel, while his pre-draft NFL comp is reigning Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Lemon’s biggest strengths are his hands, toughness, change of direction and versatility. The report notes that top-end speed and strength could be better. However, those were similar concerns scouts raised when evaluating Smith-Njigba.
Makai Lemon is a promising wideout, and it’s crystal clear that the Los Angeles Rams, Las Vegas Raiders and other franchises are paying close attention ahead of the 2026 draft. He’s trending towards going off the board on Day 1.
Edited by Nick Igbokwe