The USC Trojans got some massive news amid rumors connecting Lincoln Riley to the UCF Knights as top 25 overall prospect Jahkeem Stewart signed with the Trojans Wednesday afternoon. Stewart’s signing is a win for the Trojans, but it has the potential to be a narrative-builder as well.
How did USC land Stewart, and is his signing a fluke or an indication that Riley has the Trojans on the right track?
Jahkeem Stewart Signs With USC Trojans
Just two months ago, Stewart was the nation’s top overall 2026 prospect and a near-lock to commit to the in-state LSU Tigers.
However, he followed the trajectory of several top 2026 prospects, reclassifying to the 2025 class. As he did so, reports began to surface that Stewart might not end up in Louisiana.
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Soon after, it became apparent that Riley and USC defensive line coach Eric Henderson were in a much better place than people initially thought. Stewart’s USC interest was well-documented — he had flown across the country to see the Trojans multiple times — but there was a general consensus that he’d eventually meander back to LSU.
Once Stewart reclassified, though, the timeline changed, and the Tigers realized they had less time than previously thought to convince him to stay close to home. The Oregon Ducks and Ohio State Buckeyes joined the fray as well, but USC outlasted the other Blue Bloods for Stewart’s commitment.
What Landing Stewart Means for USC
Riley’s had a tumultuous USC tenure, especially after Caleb Williams left for the NFL.
The Trojans led in the fourth quarter of every game this season but limped to a 6-6 record. They often lacked stamina and depth late in games, especially on the interior.
While Stewart will miss the extra year of high school development, he’s talented enough to play early, even if he’s simply rotating in. At 6’5″, 270 pounds, he’s big enough to help bolster a struggling front. Yet, his signing might mean more in terms of program narrative.
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Stewart is the highest-ranked defensive recruit in Riley’s tenure and best overall recruit since the 2022 class. His signing comes less than two weeks after the Trojans flipped five-star quarterback Husan Longstreet from the Texas A&M Aggies. Longstreet is the seventh-ranked quarterback in our 2025 quarterback rankings.
Those two are part of an excellent close to a class that could have gone sideways. They also come amid rumors that Riley is talking to UCF.
Things could change, but Stewart is both a massive upgrade to the defensive line on the field and a massive win for Riley off it.
Never underestimate the power of positive momentum, especially after a challenging season. The Trojans needed some momentum, and Stewart’s pledge just provided it.
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