2026 No. 1 prospect Jahkeem Stewart visiting Ohio State this weekend
Ohio State currently boasts the top-ranked recruiting class in the 2025 cycle. Ryan Day and the Buckeyes are gearing up for another big weekend of visits and are hoping that could lead to some success in the 2026 class, too.
There’s no bigger junior target in the country than Reserve (La.) St. Augustine five-star defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart. The No. 1 overall recruit has had his trip to Columbus planned, and he confirmed on Wednesday that he’ll visit the Buckeyes this weekend.
Stewart is coming off trips to Miami and Auburn, both of which impressed the 6-foot-5.5, 270-pounder. He’s also set to visit USC and Oregon to round out a busy April. Ohio State has made a habit of making a mark on top recruits after they visit, and that could be the case with Stewart after this weekend.
“I’m looking for a long-term relationship, not just who can develop me for the NFL,” Stewart told On3 earlier this year. “I want that defensive line coach at my wedding. I want to have a relationship with them… and trust them.”
Ohio State already holds a commitment from Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., the No. 2 overall recruit in the 2026 class.
“I like the defensive line coaching and what they have with Coach Larry (Johnson) 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.”
Stewart updates recruitment, talks potential reclassification
Earlier this week, Stewart joined ‘The Five Star Flex’ and sat down with On3’s Phillip Dukes to update his recruitment. He touched on multiple things, including a possible reclassification to the 2025 cycle.
“Yeah I was thinking about it, I sat down with Coach Clyde and I thought about it. He told me we’ll come back to it in the summer, he just wants me to stay focused for the spring right now, but I’m thinking about reclassifying to 2025,” he said.
“It’s a big move if I really do it, just being a defensive lineman. I think it’s a smart decision but I think it’s not at the same time, because I’ve got to develop my body into really banging in the trenches 24-8 with the big offensive linemen.”
The in-state LSU Tigers are currently trending for Stewart, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). Pulling Stewart out of The Boot will likely be a tall task, as LSU has long made the five-star a priority in Baton Rouge.
“The relationship and the bond that I have with Coach Frank (Wilson) and Coach Bo Davis and Coach Kelly. Coach Frank, he’s the main person that’s recruiting me right now and he’s shown nothing but love and he’s giving me a lot of knowledge,” Stewart said. “I can see where LSU’s going right now, they’re building a better program, they’re helping kids achieve what they want to achieve and just help with their character.”