Ohio State hoping to build momentum for 5-star DL Jahkeem Stewart with visit this weekend

Ohio State is welcoming some key visitors to Columbus this weekend for its game against Nebraska. Headlining the list of expected attendees is Reserve (La.) Edna Karr five-star defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart, the nation’s No. 15 overall prospect in the 2025 cycle.

The 6-foot-5.5, 270-pounder reclassified from the 2026 class earlier this month and named the Buckeyes one of his top four schools, alongside Oregon, USC and LSU. With his recruiting process now sped up a year, Stewart is staying on the road this fall seeing his contenders.

He recently saw OSU in Eugene as it suffered a tight loss to Oregon. He’s now getting back to The Horseshoe for not one, but two visits. After this weekend, Stewart is expected to return to Ohio State for an official visit at the end of the regular season when it hosts rival Michigan.

Head coach Ryan Day, touted DL coach Larry Johnson and the rest of the Buckeyes’ staff have made multiple impressions on Stewart throughout his process thus far, but the next few weeks will be big. It all starts with a positive trip this weekend.

“An unofficial visit, I think that shows you how high Ohio State really is on (Stewart’s) list, as the Buckeyes battle Oregon, LSU and USC down the stretch for one of the most coveted players regardless of position in the country,” On3’s Steve Wiltfong said on the ‘Wiltfong Whiparound’ earlier this week.

“Ohio State’s a program he could really see himself at for a couple of reasons. First of all, he has a great relationship with Larry Johnson and LaAllan Clark, the two defensive line coaches. Johnson, his historic track record really resonates with (Stewart), who feels like he could develop under both of those coaches. Then Ohio State’s consistency, they’re always ranked in the top five, top 10, year in and year out. They always boast some of the best defensive linemen in the country that hear their names called high in the NFL Draft.”

Ohio State well positioned for Stewart ahead of important stretch

Stewart also has planned trips to USC and hometown LSU — which is currently trending in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. He’s also slated to get back to Oregon once more before returning to Ohio State at the end of November.

Each of the four finalists are getting a chance to put their best foot forward with one of the top uncommitted recruits in the nation, who’s eyeing a Dec. 4 decision. Wiltfong likes where the Buckeyes and the Ducks stand heading into a crucial time in Stewart’s recruitment, however.

“Jahkeem Stewart loves college football, he sees himself playing in the biggest games…Ohio State are the ones playing in those games, they’re the ones who typically have the defensive linemen. He was at the Ohio State-Oregon game, I think those are the two programs who are in the best position for Stewart right now,” he said.

“Consistency,” Stewart’s trainer Clyde Alexander from Edge Assassins recently said of what stands out about Ohio State. “One thing about Ohio State, they haven’t won a National Championship every year. They have consistently put together a winning product and that tells me about the overall culture and overall stability of the organization. Year in and year out, Ohio State has always been in the conversation of winning. There is no denying that.”

Ohio State’s 2025 recruiting class ranks No. 2 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Three five-stars are already in the mix: Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Tavien St. Clair, Five-Star Plus+ cornerback Na’eem Offord and five-star CB Devin Sanchez. The trio are among the nine top-100 prospects pledged to the Buckeyes, as of Oct. 25.