Top LSU target Jakheem Stewart commits to Lincoln Riley's USC after entering signing day as uncommitted 5-star prospect

Jakheem Stewart announced his commitment to the USC Trojans on Wednesday as the early signing period commenced. The defensive lineman was one of the handful five-star prospects of the 2025 class to enter the early signing period without a college commitment. Lincoln Riley's side beat competition from LSU, Oregon, and Ohio State to secure the crucial recruitment after a rough few weeks.

The Trojans have had to endure the loss of their top quarterback commit. With a landmark recruitment like Stewart to mark the beginning of the early signing period, though, fans will gain a renewed confidence.

---

Who is Jakheem Stewart?

Jakheem Stewart is a five-star defensive lineman from Edna Karr High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. Stewart, 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds, is ranked the No. 3 defensive lineman in the 2025 recruiting class, per 247Sports. However, the 17-year-old originally belonged to the 2026 class before reclassifying.

Formerly ESPN’s No. 1 overall prospect in the class of 2026, Stewart has had to overcome daunting challenges to remain on the radar. He was ruled ineligible to compete by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association earlier this year after an in-season transfer in September. His decision to reclassify followed the sanction that has seen him sidelined for the past three months.

To remain physically ready for the next phase, Stewart has settled for a professional training plan. That will have him in good physical shape to compete for playing time when he enrolls in college next year.

Despite having not played a competitive football game in about a year, Stewart has remained highly regarded by scouting services and college recruiters. Gabe Brooks of 247Sports describes him as an “enormous-framed front-line defender with impressive linear athleticism and growth potential.”

Despite the obvious gamble being taken on Stewart's potential by USC, the prevalent opinion is that he's a future NFL prospect. Fans may expect him to immediately integrate into USC’s defense and go on to have a lasting impact.

Jakheem Stewart's coach at Edna Karr, Brice Brown, believes he has a skillset that places him beyond the high school level:

“The season he would have had this year, I think a lot of people would have said to themselves he does not need to play a senior season because he is 5hay far advanced over a normal high school player.”

Steward is expected to enroll early at USC to allow him properly blend into the team ahead of next fall.