Lake McRee Scouting Report - TE, USC

Dive into our Lake McRee scouting report, covering his bio, traits, player comparison, and NFL projection. Unlock the complete analysis in our Rookie Guide.

Dave Kluge's Lake McRee Scouting Report - TE, USC Dave Kluge Published 01/20/2026

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Lake McRee

Bio

  • Hometown: Austin, TX
  • School: USC
  • Year: R-Senior

Measurables

  • Height: 6-4
  • Weight: 251

Scouting Report

Lake McRee grew up in Austin, Texas, and starred at Lake Travis High School before committing to USC. He redshirted his freshman year, still recovering from an ACL tear he suffered in high school. The following season, he was in a rotational role. McRee started to shine in 2023, more than doubling his per-game receiving output, but another ACL tear, this time to his other knee, ended his season right before the Holiday Bowl. He was ready for the start of the 2024 season, but another knee injury caused him to miss over a month of playing time. He finally put together a healthy season in 2025, setting career-highs in receiving yards (450) and touchdowns (four) while operating as the Trojans' primary receiving tight end.

McRee is a versatile tight end, but his receiving is his calling card. He's masterful at using late suddenness to create separation right before the catch, and his reliable hands frame a massive catch radius. McRee is a formidable blocker with good hand placement. Most of McRee's targets came in the short to intermediate parts of the field, as his lackluster speed doesn't allow him to separate vertically.

Rundown

McRee's lengthy injury history raises questions about his durability. Still, he's a savvy receiver who can work as a reliable outlet in the short areas of the field on every down.

Player Comp

Noah Gray

NFL Range of Outcomes

Practice Squad to Average Starter


For more information on Lake McRee and the rest of the 2026 rookie class, get our Rookie Guide today! And come back to this page after the NFL Combine and NFL Draft for updated information!

Photos provided by Imagn Images
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