In the last stretch of the college football season 2024, the recruiting battle for the years next on the line is hitting a real high. The teams leave no stone unturned to lock their favorite talents across the nation. Despite some teams bagging a few verbal commitments, unless and until the national signing day approaches, their fate remains volatile. LSU Tigers are quite possessive with their commits. They barely let any recruits go out of the state. Look at Bryce Underwood. How the No.1 QB prospect remains firm in his bond with Brain Kelly and the other coaching staff despite the constants lurking from the outside programs like Michigan. But then, everyone is not Underwood. Can their other potential catch, 5-star Jahkeem Stewart, give them a ‘wake-up to the reality’ moment?

Jakhkeem Stewart has narrowed his choice of schools to Oregon, LSU, Ohio State, and USC after reclassifying into the 2025 recruiting class. A 6-foot-6, 270-pound pass rusher from New Orleans has been turning the tides among the schools with amazing stats under his belt. The star in the spotlight had a fulfilling visit to LSU for their game against Alabama this weekend. But still, the chance of the Tigers is slim.

”There’s been times when USC has had momentum with Stewart. They’re battling Oregon, they’re battling Ohio State, and obviously in-state LSU, where he took his official visit last weekend. He’s been to USC several times, and he loves what USC offers off the field, from The Fortune 500 companies in Los Angeles and all the opportunities that come with being a USC player and then the coaching staff, coach Henny, Coach Henderson, their defensive line coach, his relationship with him is second to none,” said ON3‘s Josh Newberg

After seeing Dan Lanning’s team outplay the Buckeyes last month, the prized defensive end will head to witness how he sits with USC next weekend, where the Trojans will look to beat the Cornhuskers in a home game. He will have another visit to Ohio State in their final home game against the Wolverines before taking a final call.

For USC, the connection runs deeper than you realize. Joshberg added, ‘Henderson is from New Orleans. He played High School football with Jae’s trainer Mentor Clyde Alexander, and Coach Henderson’s track record of coaching in the NFL coaching guys like Aaron Donald, he knows that’s the type of guy that can get a lot out of him. USC’s co-defensive line coach, Skyler, is also from Louisiana and coached at Southern, so there’s a longstanding relationship with USC.” 

The Trojans are in the thick for real. But don’t let it fool you. Stewart is still exploring his spots and seems to have a lot of respect for coach Lanning.

Jahkeem Stewart likes Dan Lanning’s vision for him

Oregon has been a long-time suitor of Stewart. They put an offer on the table to take the young prodigy on board in May last year. Of course, Stewart gave them a lot of reasons. He reached a sky-high record, scoring 85 tackles. 33 TFL and 20 sacks. This impressive surge earned him not only lucrative deals from the coveted programs but also a MaxPreps Sophomore All-American selection on the DL. Believe it or not. He was just on his Sweet 16. But they say when size and talent speak, age takes the sideline.

Lanning has watched him grow to his current height and put all his effort into fitting his criteria in a single visit in the year (on November 16). The efforts bear fruit. Stewart told On3 that he had a deep admiration for what Lanning was doing with the Ducks. He believes the Ducks sit at the helm of the CFP ranking this season for a reason. They are 100 per cent worth the spot they hold. Coming to his flip idea, coach Lanning showed him how he would make him fit the sphere, tuning with the skill set he has.

Oregon has had a good time in their recruitment font, taking 16 commits for the 2025 class. So, if LSU misses out on Jahkeem Stewart, it’s not their fault. What’s your take on USC being the frontrunner in Jahkeem Stewart’s recruitment race?