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Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon — who was one of the biggest stories of the 2026 NFL Draft after the Eagles traded up to pipe the Pittsburgh Steelers to selecting him — saw his viral combine interview video and says it was a “learning experience.”
While being interviewed at the NFL Combine in February, the former USC Trojans pass catcher went viral on social media for his bizarre demeanor, which included intense eye-contact through squinted eyes and side-to-side head movement that was reminiscent of a snake.
WHA THE HELL WAS GOING ON WITH MAKAI LEMON AT THE COMBINE TODAY.
😳😳😳
WTF.
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) February 27, 2026
Makai Lemon might seduce a coach in these combine interviews
pic.twitter.com/SkMPQvbvgh— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) February 27, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon addressed his viral combine interview and said it was a “learning experience on carrying himself more professionally”
Lemon — whom the Eagles selected with the 20th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft — was asked about the viral moment earlier this week and said it was a “learning experience” about he has to “carry himself more professionally.”
“It was a learning experience. Just how to carry myself more professionally… I definitely didn’t expect to look like that, but I’ll learn from it moving forward,” Lemon said when addressing the media earlier this week.
Makai Lemon on his NFL Combine podium session:
“It was a learning experience. Just how to carry myself more professionally… I definitely didn’t expect to look like that, but I’ll learn from it moving forward.” pic.twitter.com/7v788D01AA
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) April 29, 2026
In three seasons at USC, Makai Lemon had 137 catches for 2,008 yards and scored 16 touchdowns in 33 games. During his final season last fall, he had 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Lemon will be joining a wide reciever core that already features Pro Bowler AJ Brown and former Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith. The long-running expectation, however, is that Brown will be traded away from the Eagles before the start of next season. At this time, however, despite his apparent personal wishes, Brown remains on the Dirty Birds’ roster.