As we approach the finish line of the 2025 recruiting cycle, USC is navigating the volatile world of flips and commitments, and there’s one prospect that’s captured everyone’s attention: 5-star defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart. The Louisiana native, who recently reclassified to the 2025 class, is one of the most coveted players in the country, and after a successful visit to USC during the Trojans’ showdown with Nebraska, things are looking very promising for Lincoln Riley and company.
A Visit That Exceeded Expectations
Jahkeem Stewart’s visit to USC last weekend was described as nothing short of a home run for the Trojans. Not only did Stewart get an up-close look at USC’s game day experience in the Colosseum, but he also got a taste of all that Los Angeles has to offer, both on and off the field. According to Scott Schrader of On3.com, Stewart and his family were treated to a VIP experience, which included meetings with people from Marvel Studios and a tour of the FOX Sports studios while Michael Strahan and the crew were filming their show.
To top it off, the visit included a dinner at the famed Nobu restaurant in Malibu, where Stewart mingled with prominent USC figures, including those involved in the school’s real estate development. All of these elements combined to give the Trojans the upper hand in Stewart’s recruitment, but did they seal the deal?
Strong USC Ties and Relationships
One of the key factors working in USC’s favor is the strong relationship between Stewart and Trojans’ Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach Eric Henderson. Both hail from Louisiana, with Henderson attending Edna Karr High School, the same school where Stewart transferred to this season. Henderson’s connection to Stewart goes even further, as he has also worked closely with Clyde Alexander, a coach who has mentored Stewart through the Edge Assassins clinic.
These deep-rooted ties provide USC with an edge over other programs, and Rivals’ National Recruiting Analyst Sam Spiegelman recently made a prediction that Stewart will indeed commit to the Trojans on Signing Day.
USC’s 2025 Class Could Get a Major Boost
If Stewart does commit to USC, it would be a monumental win for the Trojans, especially considering the current state of their 2025 defensive line class. Currently, USC has only two defensive linemen committed: 3-star prospects Floyd Boucard and Cash Jacobsen. Landing Stewart, the No. 3 defensive lineman in the class according to On3, would immediately elevate the group and add a blue-chip talent to a position USC desperately needs to bolster.
Despite USC’s strong push, there’s still work to be done. Stewart’s recruitment remains wide open, with Michigan also having made a significant impression during his recent visit, especially with their revamped NIL collective that’s reportedly opened up new financial resources. Oregon, under the guidance of head coach Dan Lanning, is set to make one final pitch next weekend, and with a reportedly blank check ready for Stewart, the Ducks will undoubtedly pull out all the stops to land the coveted defensive lineman.
Then there’s LSU, Stewart’s in-state school, which is always a major player in Louisiana recruiting. The home-state pull is a factor that USC knows all too well, having experienced flips from recruits to Georgia and Florida schools in recent years. LSU’s in-state advantage is something USC must overcome, but the Trojans’ strong ties to Stewart and his family could be enough to keep him out west.
The Final Stretch
With just over a week left until Signing Day, the race for Jahkeem Stewart’s commitment is heating up. USC is in a strong position after a highly successful visit, but the Trojans will need to hold off some fierce competition from Michigan, Oregon, and LSU to secure the talented defensive lineman’s pledge.
As the clock ticks down, it’s shaping up to be one of the wildest endings to a recruiting cycle in recent memory. For USC, landing Stewart would not only solidify their 2025 recruiting class but also signal to the rest of the country that the Trojans are back in business when it comes to landing elite talent on the defensive side of the ball.
Stay tuned, as this recruitment is far from over, and the final chapter is yet to be written.
