5-star Jahkeem Stewart talks LSU, the idea of reclassifying

One of the LSU football program’s biggest targets on the recruiting trail is 2026 5-star defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart.

The Reserve (La.) native and St. Augustine rising junior is ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

That makes Stewart the top defensive lineman in America and No. 1 prospect in the Bayou State.

“I always wanted it more than other people,” he told On3’s Phillip Dukes on ‘The Five Star Flex’. “I was always humble, I would never say what I am or what I am going to be, I just let my actions speak more than my words.”

The 6-foot-5.5 270-pounder has college offers in from coast-to-coast, but it’s been the in-state Tigers who moved out to an early lead on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

Stewart joined On3’s Phillip Dukes on “The Five-Star Flex” to discuss his recruitment, interest in LSU, the possibility of reclassifying and more.

LSU still trending for the No. 1 prospect in 2026

While Stewart has already made plenty of college visits and has many more to come, the Tigers are currently trending for Stewart in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

“The relationship and the bond that I have with Coach Frank (Wilson) and Coach Bo Davis and Coach Kelly. Coach Frank, he’s the main person that’s recruiting me right now and he’s shown nothing but love and he’s giving me a lot of knowledge,” Stewart told On3. “I can see where LSU’s going right now, they’re building a better program, they’re helping kids achieve what they want to achieve and just help with their character.

“They’re pushing guys to the limit — and I want to get pushed to my limit, cause I feel as though if I get get pushed to my limits, I can be the best player in the world. That’s just how I think.”

Which other programs are firmly in the mix?

Beyond LSU, Stewart has circled a pair of other programs that stood out following campus visits: Southern Cal and Miami.

“With Coach (Henderson) just getting there at the defensive line spot, that helped it a lot,” Stewart said. “With him being from New Orleans, the bond, it won’t matter, but him recruiting me and being from New Orleans, coaching up the guys like Aaron Donald, he can do the job pretty good. He’s got receipts for it. I feel as though he’s going to change the program, he wants me to change it. I got the mindset to do it, but i’m just taking the process slow.

“USC, my bro being committed there, Julian Lewis, he’s recruiting me also. I’m trying to put myself into a good predicament for me. Just to really help me and my family out. USC’s got great academics, got great marketing business, that’s what I’m going to major in college. Everything up there, it can help you out in every certain way. Great connections, got everything you need, you’ve just got to sacrifice to literally move out there and be away from home. That’s a big sacrifice for me to make.”

Stewart also opened up on his relationship with the staff in Coral Gables.

“Coach (Jason) Taylor and Coach Joe (Salave’a), them two are the main ones,” Stewart said. “Coach Joe, he’s a big gentle giant, he’s all love man. He’ll keep it a buck with you, will help you out with your journey and give you a lot of knowledge. And Coach Taylor, with him being a Hall of Famer, he’s got the gold jacket. He teaches the defensive line how I’m being taught right now and has helped me on this long journey … I feel as though he can make me a Hall of Famer, too.”

A new thing to monitor: a potential reclassification

Stewart is the top-ranked player in the class of 2026, but he can also see himself making an earlier jump into the college game.

“Yessir, I think I could,” when asked if he felt he was currently SEC-ready. “I could go hit the gym, put a few pounds on, I think I could do it. It’s just my mindset. You got to have that type of mindset if you want to be the guy, but I think I can do it right now.

“I was thinking about (reclassifying into the 2025 class). I sat down with (St. Augustine defensive line) Coach Clyde and I thought about it. He told me we’ll come back to it in the summer, he just wants me to stay focused for the spring right now, but I’m thinking about reclassifying to 2025.

“It’s a big move if I really do it, just being a defensive lineman. I think it’s a smart decision but I think it’s not at the same time, because I’ve got to develop my body into really banging in the trenches 24-7 with the big offensive linemen.”