After making first cut, 2026 No. 1 overall prospect Jahkeem Stewart updates spring plans and his next move
Reserve (La.) St. Augustine four-star defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart took a step towards his commitment by announcing his top 15 schools on Feb. 15. The programs that made the cut were Alabama, Auburn, Colorado, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M and USC.
Stewart has already visited Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Texas and USC multiple times, as well as Auburn, Florida State, Miami, Oregon and Texas A&M once. The 6-foot-6, 280-pound recruit has yet to see Colorado, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Tennessee.
“What made these 15 schools stand out is the games they play in and their environments,” Stewart told On3. “I picked these 15 because of the coaching and the d-linemen they put into the draft.”
This spring, Stewart has scheduled visits to College Station (March 23), Auburn (April 6), Ohio State (April 13), USC (April 20) and Oregon (April 27). Other visits are expected to be worked in and by the end of the summer, he plans to announce his top 10 schools.
Stewart’s progressing through the recruiting process, and while his commitment is likely months away, the talented defender already knows that he wants multiple things in a program, including a place that can prepare him for the next level.
“I’m looking for a long-term relationship, not just who can develop me for the NFL,” said Stewart, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 On3 Industry Ranking. “I want that defensive line coach at my wedding. I want to have a relationship with them… and trust them.”
Stewart is impressed by the direction of LSU
LSU landed the top player from Louisiana in the 2024 cycle and currently has seven of the state’s top 10 prospects in its 2025 recruiting class. The Tigers are hoping Stewart follows them to Baton Rouge.
“I love LSU and what they’ve done as a program,” Stewart said. “They’re rebuilding and I love that. (Associate head coach/running backs) coach Frank (Wilson) has been involved in my recruitment and every time I talk to coach Frank, he gives me a lot of knowledge not only for football, but for life. That plays a big role in my recruitment.”
This offseason, head coach Brian Kelly overhauled his defensive staff. Two of the new coaches he brought in were defensive coordinator Blake Baker and defensive line coach Bo Davis.
According to Stewart, Davis was a “big pickup” for LSU. He previously knew the Tigers assistant when he was in the same position at Texas.
“I feel like coach Davis is a great defensive line coach,” Stewart said. “He teaches his defensive linemen to be physical and violent. Coach Davis is playing a big role in my recruitment, not only by how he coaches, but how he acts.”
Stewart has built close relationships to Alabama and Georgia
The Tigers’ SEC rival is also making a positive impression on Stewart. Alabama has hosted him between four and five times, including on the weekend of Feb. 3.
That trip marked Stewart’s first time in Tuscaloosa since Kalen DeBoer took over as the Crimson Tide’s head coach. He left impressed by the program – which he plans to see again for a game in the fall – and also enjoyed getting to spend time with associate head coach/defensive line coach Freddie Roach.
“It was great,” Stewart said. “They checked off all the boxes that needed to be checked off with the new coaching staff. Coach Roach, he plays a big role in my recruitment at Alabama, so that was important for him to stay. Getting around and talking to the new coaching staff, they seem pretty confident in what they’d like to do with the program. Bama is Bama, so Alabama is always going to be high. Talking with the head coach, he’s very confident about his scheme.”
In the coming weeks, one of the schools that Stewart hopes to return to is Georgia. So far, he has built multiple relationships in Athens, including with defensive line coach Tray Scott.
The Louisiana native likes how Scott helps his players be successful both on and off the field. He also believes that the Bulldogs are a program that can get him ready for the NFL.
“Georgia is a school where they develop first round draft picks,” Stewart said. “My goal is to go in the first round. Georgia is Georgia. The standard is always going to be high with (head) coach Kirby Smart and coach Tray Scott. Coach Tray Scott is a great man to be around and you can see the players he has developed like Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis.”
Stewart wants to learn more about Ohio State and Michigan
Ohio State associate head coach/defensive line coach Larry Johnson has developed Buckeyes defensive linemen into college football stars and high NFL Draft picks. That is a key reason why Stewart considers him to be “a legend.”
Since Stewart hopes to see the Buckeyes this spring, he is excited to learn more about the Big Ten program. So far, he has been very impressed by Johnson’s work.
“I like the defensive line coaching and what they have with coach Larry and (graduate assistant LaAllan) Clark,” Stewart said. “I want to look more into the coaching staff and how they build and how they will use me in their system. Ohio State could do a great job with me because I am an all-around defensive line player. I just want to have a bond with my coach and I feel like coach Larry does a great job with that from the players that he’s coached like Chase Young.”
Michigan is also working to land Stewart. Despite calling Jim Harbaugh’s departure to the Los Angeles Chargers “a big loss” for the Wolverines, he is optimistic that new head coach Sherrone Moore will do “a great job” in Ann Arbor.
Stewart wants to become more familiar with Michigan through a visit there. The four-star already knows about Michigan Stadium – also known as the Big House – which he has heard is “amazing.”
Auburn and USC will have Stewart back on campus this spring
Stewart will see Auburn in April for the first time since his eighth-grade year. After seeing the success of defensive lineman Derrick Brown on The Plains, he is intrigued by head coach Hugh Freeze’s program.
“I talked to (four-star defensive lineman) Bryce Perry-Wright and (four-star linebacker) Tyler Atkinson and they told me Auburn is doing a great job with what they’re building right now,” Stewart said. “I feel like I want to go over there and look at them myself.”
Two weeks after a trip to the Plains, Stewart has another west coast visit on his calendar. Stewart is not worried about location. USC has him on campus before and he is set to return to Los Angeles this spring.
“I like Coach Lincoln Riley and what USC is about. They brought in Coach Henny (Eric Henderson), they are working to make the defense better and I just like the overall program. Then they have my guy Juju (Julian Lewis) committed too.”
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