Fitzgerald and Lemon Named Walter Camp All-Americans
Two of USC’s most productive and impactful players, Bishop Fitzgerald and Makai Lemon, have been named Walter Camp All-Americans, adding another prestigious honor to standout seasons for both Trojans.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
Two of USC’s most productive and impactful players, Bishop Fitzgerald and Makai Lemon, have been named Walter Camp All-Americans, adding another prestigious honor to standout seasons for both Trojans.
The Walter Camp All-America Team, first established in 1889, is the oldest All-America team in college football history. This year’s First Team features players from 15 different schools, with the Big Ten leading all conferences with 10 selections, followed by the Southeastern Conference with six.
Lemon’s Historic Season
Lemon’s selection caps one of the most decorated seasons by a USC wide receiver in recent memory. The dynamic playmaker was also named the 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner and 2025 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year, along with a long list of national honors, including:
- AFCA First Team All-American
- On3 First Team All-American
- Sports Illustrated First Team All-American
- The Athletic First Team All-American
- PFF All-American
- Pro Football Sports Network Third Team All-American
Lemon earned First Team All-Big Ten honors from the Associated Press and Sports Info Solutions.
Statistically, Lemon dominated at the national level. He led Power Conference players in receiving yards (1,156) and yards per game (96.3), while also pacing the Big Ten in receptions per game (6.6) and yards after catch (502). He finished tied for the conference lead with 11 receiving touchdowns.
Lemon ranked third among Power Four players with 19 receptions of 20 yards or more and was tied for first nationally with 50 catches resulting in first downs. His versatility was on full display in 2025, as he totaled 11 receiving touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns, and one passing touchdown.
He made history by becoming the first Big Ten player since 2009 to both catch two touchdowns and throw a touchdown in the same game, accomplishing the feat against Oregon. Lemon recorded five 100-yard receiving games this season and seven in his career, while finishing with 137 career receptions for 2,008 yards and 14 touchdowns, ranking 22nd on USC’s all-time receptions list.
Bishop Fitzgerald, second team Walter CAMP All-American
Fitzgerald Anchors the Defense
On the defensive side, Bishop Fitzgerald emerged as one of the nation’s top playmakers in the secondary. He finished the regular season leading the Big Ten and ranking second nationally in interceptions, hauling in five picks, the most by a Trojan since Calen Bullock in 2022.
Three of Fitzgerald’s interceptions came inside USC’s red zone, halting scoring threats at critical moments. Despite missing two games late in the season due to injury, Fitzgerald ranked fourth on the team with 51 total tackles, including 34 solo stops, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one sack.
His performance earned him semifinalist honors for both the Jim Thorpe Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy. Fitzgerald was also named Bronko Nagurski National Player of the Week following a dominant performance against Michigan, where he recorded two interceptions to help lead USC to a statement 31–13 victory, one of the Trojans’ most significant wins since joining the Big Ten.
