Louisiana's Jahkeem Stewart is On3's No. 1 overall prospect
Louisiana’s 2026 class is proving to be deep on top end talent, and St. Augustine’s Jahkeem Stewart rose to the top.
On Monday, On3 debuted the initial On300 for the 2026 class.
After landing in the initial On3 Top 100 Watch List, Stewart debuted as a five-star, the No. 1 defensive lineman and No. 1 overall prospect in On3’s 2026 rankings.
Stewart is one of eight Louisiana prospects to land in the debut On300, and he’s joined in the Top 10 by two Baton Rouge recruits in the No. 1 interior offensive lineman in Lamar Brown (No. 4 overall) and the No. 1 safety in Blaine Bradford (No. 10 overall).
Stewart, a 6-foot-6, 280-pounder out of St. Augustine, has been making waves and adding college offers since middle school, and following his sophomore season he trimmed his list to 15 teams.
The programs that made the cut were Alabama, Auburn, Colorado, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M and USC.
Stewart has already visited Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Texas and USC multiple times, as well as Auburn, Florida State, Miami, Oregon and Texas A&M once. The 6-foot-6, 280-pound recruit has yet to see Colorado, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Tennessee.
“What made these 15 schools stand out is the games they play in and their environments,” Stewart told On3’s Chad Simmons. “I picked these 15 because of the coaching and the d-linemen they put into the draft.”
This spring, Stewart has scheduled visits to College Station (March 23), Auburn (April 6), Ohio State (April 13), USC (April 20) and Oregon (April 27). Other visits are expected to be worked in and by the end of the summer, he plans to announce his top 10 schools.
Stewart’s progressing through the recruiting process, and while his commitment is likely months away, the talented defender already knows that he wants multiple things in a program, including a place that can prepare him for the next level.
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“I’m looking for a long-term relationship, not just who can develop me for the NFL,” said Stewart, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 On3 Industry Ranking. “I want that defensive line coach at my wedding. I want to have a relationship with them… and trust them.”
Stewart is impressed by the direction of the Tigers
LSU landed the top player from Louisiana in the 2024 cycle and currently has seven of the state’s top 10 prospects in its 2025 recruiting class. The Tigers are hoping Stewart follows them to Baton Rouge.
“I love LSU and what they’ve done as a program,” Stewart told On3. “They’re rebuilding and I love that. (Associate head coach/running backs) coach Frank (Wilson) has been involved in my recruitment and every time I talk to coach Frank, he gives me a lot of knowledge not only for football, but for life. That plays a big role in my recruitment.”
This offseason, head coach Brian Kelly overhauled his defensive staff. Two of the new coaches he brought in were defensive coordinator Blake Baker and defensive line coach Bo Davis.
According to Stewart, Davis was a “big pickup” for LSU. He previously knew the Tigers assistant when he was in the same position at Texas.
“I feel like coach Davis is a great defensive line coach,” Stewart said. “He teaches his defensive linemen to be physical and violent. Coach Davis is playing a big role in my recruitment, not only by how he coaches, but how he acts.”
