Five-star DL Jahkeem Stewart commits to USC

New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr five-star defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart announced his commitment to USC on Wednesday. He chose to play for head coach Lincoln Riley and the Trojans over his other finalists in LSU, Oregon and Ohio State.

Stewart is set to sign and enroll early with the Trojans. Future position coach and New Orleans native Eric Henderson was the lead recruiter.

“It was a lot of things out there,” Stewart told On3. “It’s opportunity. Coach Riley he told me a word transcendent. Be a trend setter and come over there and turn the program around. They have positive things with the program. The new defense is now ranked No. 32. last year it was No. 131. That’s a big jump in improvement. There’s a lot of off-the-field activities I can take advantage of. Coach Henny, it’s a feeling you can’t explain and trusting God with your decision.

The 6-foot-5 1/2, 270-pound Stewart was at one point On3’s No. 1 ranked prospect in the 2026 class. He reclassified to 2025 during the fall and checks in as the On3 Industry’s No. 3 defensive lineman and No. 16 prospect in the class.

USC is putting together a terrific class with Stewart one of the jewels alongside fellow five-star in quarterback Husan Longstreet. Stewart has visited several times.

“It’s a great place to build your brand,” Stewart said. “They have a great coaching staff. All the coaches welcomed me home.

“I believe this 2025 class will go in with our heads down and work hard and change things around and that’s what’s needed. Coach Riley he’s getting those main guys and the few people he’s missing to help change the program around. It’s going to be major and be big. There’s a lot of work to put in. I know Coach Riley is going to do his part. Coach Henny and the staff are going to do their part. And it’s going to be a completely different team than last year.

Stewart has always raved about USC

Going back to the summer Stewart could really see himself playing for the Trojans

“My favorite things about (USC is) the opportunity there on the field getting coached by the best,” Stewart said. Henderson came to USC this past season from the Los Angeles Rams where he coached the likes of Aaron Donald and won a Super Bowl. “Coach Henny does a great job with what he does. He’s got results and resume on his coaching. 

“Off the field its a lot of opportunities. Gavin (Morris) is my dawg. He told me I’m a star and he’s gonna turn me into a megastar off the field.”

The program checked all the boxes for Jahkeem Stewart and his camp

Stewart and his circle of trust have a lot of faith in Riley and Henderson.

“Getting the coaching and overall plan they had for him on and off the field,” Stewart’s trainer and mentor at Edge Assassins Clyde Alexander said. “It was a very meticulous, thought-out plan and he’s gonna be successful. 

“You couldn’t argue against it.”

The official visit put the Trojans over the top

Stewart took his official visit last month highlighted by the Trojans win over Nebraska.

“The USC visit I don’t think they could’ve done a better job,” Alexander said. They took several visits over the course of the process to Los Angeles including camp during the summer.

“They answered every question,” Alexander continued. “My biggest thing with this whole process is that Jahkeem is able to regardless of football have a clear path being successful at life,” Alexander said. The trip included dinner in Malibu on Friday and the chance to learn about the opportunities players have off the field. 

“When the ball stops bouncing what are you left with, what are going to be your resources and network you’re able to tap into and move on and progress in a career in life. USC did an excellent job of displaying and putting him in contact with people in places you can obviously see would pay dividends for him as a professional after his football career is over with. That’s one of the things I think for me is at the forefront.”