2026 5-star DL target Jahkeem Stewart to be transferred

According to a report from ESPN Friday afternoon, five-star defensive lineman and USC Trojans transfer candidate Jahkeem Stewart will transfer high school.

Stewart played in the school's season opener, but according to a report from NOLA.com, the coveted recruit is no longer enrolled at his former high school, St. Augustine. Stewart spent his first two seasons at St. Augustine in New Orleans, LA, where he earned FBU All-American honors as a freshman and MaxPreps All-American honors as a sophomore.

In 2023, Stewart collected 85 tackles, 33 tackles for loss, and 20 sacks, securing his place among the top prospects of the 2026 recruiting class.

“Hugely built front-line defender with impressive linear athleticism and tremendous growth potential,” Gabe Brooks wrote for 247Sports. “Tested strongly at combine and performed well in spring 2024 offseason camp. Periodic segmentation of movement patterns reflects growth still ongoing in the body, but flashes serious straight-line juiciness for such a large frame at this stage. Capable pass rusher from the interior and the side, thanks in part to hand power and attacking power. Often overwhelms inferior opponents physically, but also flashes some shades of rip and swim at times. … Still developing his pass-rush repertoire, but has shown encouraging technical awareness. Elite defensive line prospect with excellent physical tools and promising movement skills who could become a serious NFL Draft candidate down the road.”

After being named an All-American twice, Stewart is ranked as the best player in America by On3, Rivals and ESPN. 247Sports ranks Stewart as the 12th most promising player overall and the best defensive player in the nation.

That could bode well for USC, as schools like Mater Dei and Sierra Canyon regularly pick up some of the best transfer players in the country. In the offseason, 4-star wide receiver Jaden Nickens announced that he would leave his high school in Oklahoma City and play for Sierra Canyon.

With the Trojans having both schools in their immediate vicinity, Stewart's transfer could benefit Lincoln Riley and Co. as Southern California looks to outdo the country's top college football programs and secure the coveted defensive player.

“St. Augustine has helped me become a much better person than I was before. I learned a lot there,” Stewart told ESPN. “My plan is to find a school that will really help me with my decision – a place that will push me forward and help me make the decision that I'm trying to make.”

However, ESPN's Eli Lederman reported that in addition to transferring, Stewart is also considering reclassifying into the 2025 recruiting class, meaning he could begin his college career as early as January.

The Trojans appear to be one of the top contenders for Stewart's recruitment, as the 5-star prospect visited Las Vegas for USC's game against the LSU Tigers. After a big win in the season opener, Southern California appears to be in a good position with Stewart at the moment.

The talented defender is nicknamed “Thanos” because of his enormous size of 6’6” and weight of 280 pounds and appears to be the Trojans’ main competitors in terms of defense: Texas, Miami, LSU and Alabama.