USC Has Three Wide Receivers Emerge as Possible Replacements for Makai Lemon, Ja’Kobi Lane

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USC will have a brand new set of wide receivers next season.

Superstar wide receiver Makai Lemon, who became the second Trojan in history to win the Biletnikoff Award, and wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane, who scored 16 touchdowns in two seasons, are entering the 2026 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, redshirt senior wide receiver Jaden Richardson is out of NCAA eligibility.

Rising sophomore wide receiver Tanook Hines is returning to USC next season. The Trojans also added two other wide receivers throughout the transfer portal and the 2026 high school recruiting class.

Ben Bolch of the New York Post reported that Hines, rising junior Terrell Anderson and true freshman Trent Mosley could compete for playing time at wide receiver next season.

“One could be filled by Tanook Hines, who was the team’s third option as a true freshman last season. Terrell [Anderson], a transfer from North Carolina State, and freshman Trent Mosley should also be part of the rotation,” Bolch wrote.

Anderson is coming off a breakout sophomore season where he caught 39 passes for 629 yards and five touchdowns for NC State. He also brings veteran experience to USC’s young receiver room.

Mosley is a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 22 recruit in the state of California. He recorded 47 receptions for 648 yards and helped Santa Margarita Catholic High School win the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship.

Hines Shined During the Alamo Bowl

Hines is one of the most exciting players returning to USC next season. He stepped up in the absence of Lemon and Lane during the Alamo Bowl against TCU in December.

He logged a career-high of 163 yards on six receptions, earning the praise of USC head coach Lincoln Riley after the game. Hines’ performance during the Alamo Bowl is a good sign he will be a top receiver for the Trojans next season.

“Yeah, it was fun to see him kind of rise up in that moment and kind of assume that role. He was pretty unguardable tonight, to be honest. The only times they really guarded him is when they tackled him. So, yeah, he did a great job. He’s going to be a hell of a player here,” Riley said to reporters after the game.

Riley spoke to reporters on Monday about the new additions to the roster. He used Hines’ freshman season as an example of what each young receiver will have the opportunity to accomplish next season.

“Every young receiver on this roster has got a golden opportunity to go step up and do something like Tanook did last year,” Riley said, per Bolch, “where they really go take over a job and go win it.”

USC is looking to make its first College Football Playoffs appearance next season. Hines will likely be a big part of reaching that stage.

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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