USC TE Lake McRee to bypass final year of eligibility

Field Level Media|published: 12/11/2025, 3:02pm EST

Oct 18, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans tight end Lake McRee (87) attempts to catch the ball while Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Christian Gray (6) defends in the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Southern California tight end Lake McRee elected to bypass his final season of college eligibility and declared Thursday for the 2026 NFL Draft.

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound native of Austin, Texas, was the third leading receiver for the Trojans this season, behind wide receivers Makai Lemon and Ja'kobi Lane. A redshirt senior, McRee had 30 receptions for 450 yards and four touchdowns.

"... Every moment -- good and bad -- has shaped who I am today," McRee said in his announcement to declare for the draft that was posted on X. "The brotherhood in this program, the standard of excellence, and the belief we have in one another have pushed me to grow as both a player and a person."

In 51 career games for the Trojans, he had 97 receptions for 1,154 yards and seven TDs.

Earlier this month, ESPN draft prognosticator Mel Kiper Jr. rated McRee the fifth best tight end potentially available.

USC (9-3) is scheduled to face TCU (8-4) in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 30. It is not known if McRee will play in the game.

--Field Level Media