Tag: Jahkeem Stewart

Should LSU be worried about five-star Jahkeem Stewart going out of state?

Jahkeem Stewart is one of the best prospects in the state of Louisiana. Should LSU worry about him heading elsewhere?

LSU rarely lets elite talent leave Louisiana. When there’s a five-star in the boot, more often than not, they end up at LSU.

Last year, LSU signed [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag] and [autotag]Trey’Dez Green[/autotag]. Both five stars and the two best players the state had to offer.

LSU is hoping to do the same in 2025. The Tigers already have two of Louisiana’s top three players committed, but DL [autotag]Jahkeem Stewart[/autotag] remains on the board.

Stewart was previously the top-ranked overall prospect in the class of 2026 before reclassifying to 2025. Still, Stewart is a “can’t miss” prospect. If you saw how LSU looked up front in the loss to Alabama, you saw why LSU needs a guy like Stewart.

The transfer portal is nice, but the most effective way to build an elite defensive line is to get blue-chip players in at the high school level and develop those guys. LSU hasn’t done that in recent years.

Even the Tigers’ best pass rusher now, Bradyn Swinson, is a transfer. You won’t find five Swinson’s in the portal, which makes it critical to land talent right out of high school.

Stewart is far from an LSU lock. The On3 Prediction Machine still has LSU in front of Oregon, Ohio State, and USC. But if I was taking LSU or the field, I’d take the field.

Stewart was on campus for the Alabama game. Prior to the visit, On3 wrote LSU “had some ground to make up.”

The momentum doesn’t seem to be in LSU’s favor with this one, but at the end of the day, Stewart is a top prospect out of New Orleans and that always gives LSU a chance.

But I don’t think LSU fans should feel great about this one right now.

Brian Kelly’s staff has recruited Louisiana in his time at LSU so missing out on Stewart shouldn’t defined Kelly’s efforts in Louisiana, but it would reflect poorly on LSU if it can’t close out on an elite prospect at a position of need.

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Ohio State football five-star recruit set to visit SEC program for top-15 battle

Jahkeem Stewart, who Ohio State football is bringing in late this season, will be visiting Death Valley for LSU’s battle with Alabama.

The Ohio State Buckeyes, and every other program in the country, would like to get a commit from defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart, who recently reclassified to be part of this upcoming recruiting class.

Stewart should have his pick of choice, and Ohio State will be among them.

Stewart, per Jahkeem Stewart 247 ranking, is the 14th-best player nationally and the best player from the state of Louisiana, so LSU is obviously one of the favorites to land the star. Stewart is the third-ranked defensive lineman in the class. 247Sports has USC, Oregon, Ohio State and LSU as “warm.”

Set to take his trip to Columbus on November 29th and being recruited by Larry Johnson, Stewart is in Baton Rouge for LSU’s battle with Alabama, a top-15 matchup that is basically an elimination game for both sides that enter with two losses.

While USC has struggled this season, he will be Stewart’s next visit, set to be in Southern California for its matchup with Nebraska next weekend.

He will be with the Buckeyes for their battle with Michigan, a game that should feature many potential recruits as it has one of the best atmospheres in college athletics.

No. 1 2026 prospect, New Orleans native Jahkeem Stewart reclassifies to 2025

LSU’s top target in the 2026 class has now reclassified to the current cycle.

LSU’s top target in the 2026 recruiting cycle has now reclassified to 2025.

[autotag]Jahkeem Stewart[/autotag], a New Orleans native who began his high school career at St. Augustine but transferred to Edna Karr ahead of the 2024 season, was initially the No. 1 prospect nationally in the 2026 class. But he’s now set to graduate a year early, he announced on Saturday, and will soon decide where he’ll play college ball next season.

Predictably, his ranking took a bit of a hit with his reclassification, but he remains a five-star prospect and ranks No. 19 nationally in the 2025 class according to On3’s industry rankings. Other recruiting services are yet to reevaluate him as a 2025 prospect.

https://twitter.com/Jahkeem2026/status/1842599923629654434

LSU is a heavy favorite to land him per On3’s recruiting prediction machine, and if it can add him to a 2025 class that already ranks No. 3 nationally, it has the chance to push for the No. 1 overall class.

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No. 1 2026 prospect visiting for LSU’s Week 4 contest against UCLA

Jahkeem Stewart is back in Baton Rouge for LSU’s Week 4 matchup.

The top overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class hails from the state of Louisiana, and LSU is certainly taking advantage of its proximity.

Five-star New Orleans defensive lineman [autotag]Jahkeem Stewart[/autotag], the top player in next year’s class according to On3, Rivals and ESPN, is on campus once again for the Tigers’ Week 4 contest against UCLA in Death Valley.

Stewart began his high school career at St. Augustine but transferred to Edna Karr ahead of his senior season. LSU is a heavy favorite to land the elite 6-foot-6, 270-pound in-state prospect according to the On3 recruiting prediction machine.

There are no crystal ball projections at the moment from 247Sports while Texas leads Rivals’ forecast.

LSU’s 2026 class currently features four players, two of which rank in the top 150 nationally, and is the No. 6 class in the nation per 247Sports.

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LSU hosting No. 1 2027 prospect for UCLA game this weekend

The Tigers will welcome the top player in the 2027 class, Baton Rouge quarterback Elijah Haven, for an unofficial visit this weekend.

While LSU is focusing on putting the finishing touches on its 2025 class and laying the groundwork for the 2026 cycle this fall, it’s also trying to build relationships with recruits who are early in their high school careers.

The Tigers have a commitment from the top quarterback in the 2025 cycle, and now, they’re set to play host to the No. 1 passer and overall player in the 2027 cycle.

[autotag]Elijah Haven[/autotag] hails from right down the street in Baton Rouge, and the Dunham School prospect is set to unofficially visit for the UCLA game this weekend before taking a trip to Alabama the following weekend, per On3’s Steve Wiltfong.

https://twitter.com/SWiltfong_/status/1836760927841980591

Ole Miss is currently considered a slight early favorite to land Haven, per On3’s recruiting prediction machine, but no program has a clear lead for him.

The Tigers will look to change that as they have at least a feasible chance of landing the top player in the nation for three straight cycles as top 2026 prospect [autotag]Jahkeem Stewart[/autotag] also comes from the state of Louisiana.

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Louisiana has 2027’s No. 1 overall recruit in updated rankings

The top player in the 2027 is a Louisiana product, giving LSU a good shot.

247Sports dropped its first top 100 recruits for the 2027 class on Wednesday and the top spot belongs to a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, product.

Quarterback [autotag]Elijah Haven[/autotag], out of the Dunham School, sits No. 1 overall. He’s yet to receive an LSU offer, but that will come in due time. Haven visited LSU with his father earlier this year and already has a relationship with LSU QBs coach [autotag]Joe Sloan[/autotag].

2027 is a ways away and Haven is just a rising sophomore, but the timeline could work out. LSU is set to sign the No. 1 overall player and quarterback this cycle with [autotag]Bryce Underwood[/autotag] committed. Haven would arrive in Baton Rouge just as Underwood was finishing up his career.

At least that’s what LSU fans will hope for.

According to On3, ESPN, and Rivals, the top player in the 2026 class is also from Louisiana in defensive lineman [autotag]Jahkeem Stewart[/autotag]. If Stewart and Haven remain on their current trajectory, Louisiana has a chance to produce the nation’s top player in back-to-back years.

Haven already holds six offers, with a notable one from LSU rival Ole Miss. With a recruit of Haven’s caliber, everyone in the country will want to get involved.

It will be tough, but LSU has good luck with Louisiana’s top players, and the Tigers now have a reputation for producing Heisman quarterbacks.

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ESPN deems LSU quarterback commit Bryce Underwood nation’s top recruit, regardless of class

Bryce Underwood is the centerpiece of an elite 2025 recruiting class.

LSU has the potential to land one of the best classes in the 2025 recruiting cycle, and quarterback [autotag]Bryce Underwood[/autotag] is a major reason for it. The Belleville, Michigan, prospect is the No. 1 overall player in the country, and he’s been firm in his commitment to the Tigers.

ESPN recently ranked the top 25 football recruits in the nation regardless of class, and even factoring in some superstars who are rising high school juniors and sophomores, Underwood still topped the list.

Here’s what ESPN’s Billy Tucker had to say about Underwood, who would be the highest-rated quarterback prospect the Tigers have ever signed.

The No. 1 prospect in the 2025 ESPN 300, Underwood has a 40-2 record as a high school starter with 141 total touchdowns and three state titles. He checks all the physical and mental boxes: height, weight, speed, athleticism, arm strength, arm angles, anticipation, instincts and awareness. Underwood’s game has limited flaws, and he will graduate high school at only 17 years old. He plays with a good base from within the pocket and can pick apart a defense while also creating his own magic. He’s an exceptional off-platform thrower and moves smoothly outside the pocket. The five-star will contend for a starting job in 2025 upon arriving in Baton Rouge. Quarterback is still the most impactful position in football, making the decision to rank Underwood No. 1 less of an argument.

Player comparison:  Trevor Lawrence

[autotag]Jahkeem Stewart[/autotag], a New Orleans defensive lineman who currently ranks as the top overall prospect in the 2026 class, ranks No. 2 according to ESPN. Though many programs are vying for Stewart, LSU also seems to have the inside track in his recruitment.

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Could top 2026 LSU target Jahkeem Stewart reclassify to 2025?

Could the top prospect in the 2026 class be eyeing a reclassification?

LSU is still focused on closing things out with a 2025 class that could feasibly push to be the best in the nation if it can land a few more of its top targets.

But the Tigers are also turning their attention to future classes after hosting quite a few top prospects, including rising juniors and sophomores, at Bayou Splash this weekend. One of them was [autotag]Jahkeem Stewart[/autotag], a New Orleans defensive lineman who currently ranks as the No. 1 player in the 2026 class.

There have been some rumors that Stewart could reclassify to the 2025 class, and if he did, a commitment to LSU could put it in contention for the No. 1 recruiting class.

On3’s Shea Dixon is skeptical that Stewart will reclassify at this point, but he does think LSU is currently the team to beat.

“I would lean towards no, not reclassifying, just because I think it probably would’ve already gotten done by now,” Dixon said. “We”ll see, I’m not ruling it out but I’m not leaning there. Regardless, there’s going to be smoke around a ton of teams in this recruitment.

…For me, I think it boils down to this: He’s in New Orleans, Frank Wilson’s at LSU, he’s running recruiting not just for the program, but running the city. I don’t think they let a kid like Jahkeem Stewart get out of New Orleans. I’m still going to say that at the end of the day, LSU is the team to beat to Jahkeem Stewart.”

LSU already boasts a pair of commitments in the 2026 class, but Stewart would be a huge addition if it can ultimately land him.

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LSU’s 2025 class building momentum for elite 2026 class

Louisiana’s 2026 recruiting class gives LSU the chance at another elite group.

LSU’s 2025 recruiting class is shaping up to be the best in Brian Kelly’s career and the best LSU’s had in a long time.

Its led by five-star QB and No. 1 overall recruit [autotag]Bryce Underwood[/autotag]. He’s joined by two more five-stars in CB [autotag]DJ Pickett[/autotag] and RB [autotag]Harlem Berry[/autotag]. Both players are considered the top recruits at their respective positions too.

The 2025 class is far from finished. With just 18 commits, LSU will look to add more. Ensuring the current commits make it past the finish line is critical too.

But it’s never too early to look ahead to 2026 when LSU could assemble a class just as strong. Louisiana is set to have one of its best high school crops ever next year, setting LSU up for another elite haul.

According to On3, 247Sports and Rivals, defensive lineman [autotag]Jahkeem Stewart[/autotag] is the top player in the country. Stewart hails from St. Augustine High School in New Orleans, a place that produced the No. 1 overall recruit 10 years ago in [autotag]Leonard Fournette[/autotag].

Stewart gives LSU the chance to land the nation’s top player in back-to-back classes. There’s a long way to go in his recruitment, but the On3 Crystal Ball gives LSU a 90.9% chance of landing Stewart. Underwood and Stewart in consecutive years is the type of core you can build a national title team around.

Stewart isn’t the only Louisiana product in the top 10. Offensive lineman [autotag]Lamar Brown[/autotag] sits at No. 5 overall. Given how strong LSU offensive line coach [autotag]Brad Davis[/autotag] is at recruiting Louisiana, it would be hard to imagine Brown going anywhere else.

Not further down the list, Baton Rouge safety [autotag]Blaine Bradford[/autotag] is on his way to earning a five-star. He’s out of Catholic High School, where LSU has several previous connections.

LSU has three five-stars committed in 2025 and the Tigers may not even leave the state to reach that total in 2026. With Stewart, Brown and Bradford, LSU can land the strongest core the state’s produced in some time.

There’s also OT [autotag]Brysten Martinez[/autotag] and safety [autotag]Aiden Hall[/autotag], two more top 50 recruits in Louisiana.

What might have LSU fans particularly excited is how good the Louisiana defensive tackle group is in 2026. Stewart’s at the top, but [autotag]Richard Anderson[/autotag], [autotag]Dylan Berymon[/autotag] and [autotag]Darryus McKinley[/autotag] are three more top 300 prospects that LSU won’t have to go far to get.

Davis was able to turn around LSU’s offensive line after he capitalized on a strong 2022 Louisiana class that included [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] and [autotag]Emery Jones Jr.[/autotag]. The 2026 class can have a similar impact on the defensive side for [autotag]Bo Davis[/autotag].

The 2026 cycle has barely begun, but if LSU seizes on the momentum of 2025, it will be another special group. Kelly landed top 10 classes in 2023 and 2024. He came to LSU to work with this caliber of talent.

But there’s a difference between a top-five class and a top-two or three class. Top-five classes keep you in contention, but top-three classes allow you to compete with Georgia. That’s where Kelly and LSU look to be headed.

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Report: Elite 2026 defensive end will visit Ohio State football for ‘The Game’

This is great news for the Buckeyes

One of Ohio State football’s top 2026 targets is Louisiana defensive end, [autotag]Jahkeem Stewart[/autotag].

The 6-foot, 6-inch and 270-pound pass rusher is one of the country’s best, ranking as the No. 2 overall prospect according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. According to a report from 247Sports Bill Kurelic (subscription required), Stewart will return to Columbus to see the Buckeyes host the Michigan Wolverines.

This will be the second trip to Ohio State for Stewart, as he participated in one of the June camps. He also has visits to Texas, Georgia and LSU, and either Miami or Auburn set up as well.

Stewart mentioned to Kurelic that he has a great relationship with defensive line coach Larry Johnson, as he said “everything is fine, it’s going great.”

Like many southern prospects, it’s never easy to land a player of Stewart’s caliber by a northern school. Fortunately for Ohio State, it has the pull to get it done and hopefully that ends up being the case.

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