USC DL Jahkeem Stewart buys Jeep for mother with NIL dollars

USC defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart is putting his NIL dollars to work. The top-50 recruit in the 2025 cycle shared on social media on Friday that he purchased a Jeep for his mother.

The No. 33 overall recruit in 2025, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, chose to play for head coach Lincoln Riley and the Trojans over his other finalists in LSU, Oregon and Ohio State. 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 checked in as the On3 Industry’s No. 5 defensive lineman in the class.

In an emotional video released on Instagram, Stewart thanked his mother and said it’s just the start of him giving back.

“Thank you, Mom,” Stewart said. “I truly love you. I hope this little gift shows how much I appreciate you. This isn’t the end, it’s just the start. … I thank you so much.”

Stewart is a native of New Orleans. He had a productive sophomore season, reportedly posting 85 tackles, 33 tackles for loss and 20 sacks. His position coach and New Orleans native Eric Henderson was the lead recruiter. 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. 

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“It was a lot of things out there,” Stewart told On3 about picking USC. “It’s opportunity. Coach Riley, he told me the word transcendent. Be a trendsetter 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 off. Coach Henny, it’s a feeling you can’t explain and trusting God with your decision.”

Since landing at USC as an early enrollee, he’s inked an NIL deal with the Trojans’ NIL collective House of Victory. NIL also played a factor in his decision to go to Los Angeles and play for USC, as Stewart landed a financial package north of $1 million.

“He loves SC,” Stewart’s trainer and mentor Clyde Alexander from Edge Assassins recently told On3’s Steve Wiltfong. “The opportunities they present for him with life after football, Jahkeem is one of those kids who really wants to be successful outside of football. USC is one of those places, there are a lot of different companies, Fortune 500 companies and a lot of opportunities in that Los Angeles area. Being able to connect and network in that realm are things that really attract him.”