Marqise Lee, a former USC wide receiver whose name still reverberates through the Trojans' record books, is the focus of a new countdown as the university prepares for its 2026 football season kickoff.
During his true freshman year in 2011 he exploded onto the national stage, leading the country with 73 receptions for 1,143 yards and 11 touchdowns, a performance that announced his arrival as a generational talent.
A year later he cemented his place in USC history, setting single‑season records with 118 catches, 1,721 yards and 14 scores, and he showcased his explosiveness in a high‑profile matchup against Arizona, hauling in 16 passes for 346 yards and two touchdowns despite the Trojans' loss.
Though injuries limited his junior campaign, Lee still delivered clutch moments, including a pivotal reception in the upset victory over Stanford, and he capped his college tenure with 118 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the Las Vegas Bowl, earning a unanimous All‑American nod and the Biletnikoff Award.
Life After College
After graduating in 2013, Lee entered the NFL as a second‑round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he spent six seasons highlighted by a 2016 year that produced 63 catches for 851 yards and three touchdowns, before brief stints with the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers.
Off the field, Lee returned to USC to complete his degree, a move that underscored his commitment to education and allowed him to graduate in May, closing the circle on a career that blended athletic brilliance with academic perseverance.