USC Trojans: Top 2026 Recruit’s Future Could Be Influenced by LSU Game

Jahkeem Stewart, a defensive lineman from St. Augustine High School in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been named the top-ranked player in the nation. On Wednesday he announced via X that he would be in attendance for the USC Trojans ‘ first game of the 2024 season against the LSU Tigers.

Jahkeem Stewart To Be In Attendence For USC Trojans First Game

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that both programs are in the mix for the 6’6″, 270-pound junior. Although, LSU is currently the front runner to land him (On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine gives them a 91.1 percent chance to earn his commitment) USC Football could sway him with a good defensive performance on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Apart from all the trappings of USC football, the Trojans now also offer one of the best young defensive coaching staffs in the country, including longtime NFL defensive line coach Eric Henderson. Not only has Henderson worked with and is close friends with future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald, but he is also a excellent and relentless recruiter.

It is unlikely that the two will get much face time with each other, so the convincing will have to be done on the field.

LSU has the leg up due to its less than 80 miles proximity to St. Augustine. They have also had a great deal of success with alums of the high school. Both Leonard Fournette and Tyrann Mathieu attended the school.

USC has extended scholarship offers to Stewart twice, once in April of 2023 during an unofficial visit and again in January of 2024, one day after highering Henderson.

Stewart recevied his first scholarship offer in the summer of 2021. The Tigers offered him in January of 2023. Since then he has participated in an LSU training camp and visited the campus in an unofficial capacity.

The St. Augustine Purple Knights are set to kick off thier season the Friday following the USC-LSU tilt.

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