The USC Trojans landed one of many extra highly-touted recruits within the Class of 2025, securing a dedication from five-star defensive finish Jahkeem Stewart, seen because the No. 8 recruit within the cycle by Rivals.
Stewart, a 6’6”, 270-pound defensive finish from New Orleans, Louisiana, had initially been the No. 1 recruit within the 2026 class, however re-classified to maneuver one 12 months up and be a part of the 2025 class, the place he instantly turned one of many extra sought-after recruits within the cycle.
Taking official visits within the fall, Stewart visited plenty of powerhouses, together with Ohio State, LSU and USC earlier than finally committing to the Trojans on Wednesday on Nationwide Signing Day.
Stewart fills a big want for the Trojans, as they’ve struggled to recruit inside defensive linemen up to now. Defending the run had been a problem for the workforce in 2024, as USC ranked eightieth within the nation permitting 4.5 yards per carry this season.
Despite the fact that Stewart was initially a recruit within the Class of 2026, this dedication was years within the making, because the Trojans appealed to the defensive finish early, with a number of staffers constructing a relationship with the five-star, whereas additionally approaching NIL ventures as nicely.
Whereas NIL performed a big function right here on this recruitment, Stewart had a robust relationship with lead recruiter Eric Henderson, who’s the line of defense coach at USC.
Stewart has had an fascinating highschool profession, as he sprung onto the scene as a sophomore, recording 85 tackles, 33 tackles for loss and 20 sacks in a serious 12 months. Nonetheless, he didn’t play this season as he tried to switch and has now re-classified into the 2025 class.
Nonetheless, he may very well be a fast contributor for USC, who wants each ample our bodies and expertise up entrance alongside their line of defense, however it does rely on the place the Trojans anticipate him to play, as he may need some bulking up earlier than seeing important time on the inside.
Stewart simply turns into USC’s finest defensive lineman within the 2025 class, and joins three-stars Floyd Boucard, Money Jacobsen and Gus Cordova because the gamers on the place for the Trojans within the cycle.
He provides to USC’s Thirteenth-ranked recruiting class and joins quarterback Husan Longstreet as the 2 five-stars within the cycle for USC.
The Trojans did face some unlucky information elsewhere, as they have been unable to flip five-star cornerback Dijon Lee from Alabama, failing to maintain the Mission Viejo cornerback close to residence regardless of repeated efforts to take action. Lee signed with the Crimson Tide on Wednesday morning, becoming a member of an elite recruiting class for head coach Kalen DeBoer.
Moreover, they misplaced a dedication from Utah five-star large receiver Jerome Myles, who dedicated to Texas A&M on Wednesday after taking a go to there for his or her matchup in opposition to Texas this previous weekend.
That wasn’t all although, as USC missed out on an enormous flip alternative with four-star cornerback Dalen Penson, who signed with the hometown Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets regardless of a tough push from the Trojans.
And, they did not hold linebacker Madden Faraimo residence, regardless of being in his closing 4, with the four-star linebacker electing to signal with Notre Dame on Wednesday as one of many high uncommitted recruits remaining within the 2025 class.
So, with some large misses elsewhere with last-minute pushes, it was completely pivotal that the Trojans discovered a strategy to land five-star defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart, they usually did precisely that on Wednesday, including to a top-15 class within the nation.
