Reclassified 5-star DE Jahkeem Stewart signs with USC

Field Level Media|published: Wed 4th December, 15:17 2024

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Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans mascot Tommy Trojan leads the Spirit of Troy marching band onto the field before the game against the LSU Tigers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Five-star defensive end Jahkeem Stewart committed and signed to play at Southern California on Wednesday, becoming the defensive headliner in the Trojans' 2025 class.

Stewart, from New Orleans, initially was the No. 1 prospect in the 2026 class. He reclassified to the 2025 class in October, and the 247Sports composite lists him as the No. 3 defensive lineman and the No. 16 overall player in the nation.

He will enter USC with just 12 games of varsity football experience. According to ESPN, he made 85 tackles (33 for loss) and 20 sacks as a sophomore in 2023 at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. When he transferred to Edna Karr High School this fall, he was ruled ineligible and sat out his junior season. He elected to reclassify and graduate from high school in three years.

Stewart's signing returns one five-star player to the USC fold. Earlier, a pair of five-stars -- quarterback Julian Lewis and defensive lineman Justus Terry -- decommitted from the Trojans.

The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Stewart also made official visits to Ohio State, LSU and Oregon.

--Field Level Media