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Jahkeem Stewart injury update: Lincoln Riley reveals status of young USC star for Week 1 game

Stephen Samraby: Steve Samra08/29/25SamraSource
USC defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart during a spring practice with the Trojans
(Erik McKinney | WeAreSC)

USC will be going into battle without standout defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart in Week 1. Lincoln Riley confirmed on Friday that the star recruit won’t play against Missouri State on Saturday due to an injury.

“Coach Riley tells us that Jahkeem Stewart and Alex Graham WILL NOT play on Saturday as they recover from injuries,” Ryan Dyrud of LAFB Network posted on X. “Says Stewart is really close but just not there yet. Chasen Johnson will be a game-time decision.”

Although USC will likely be able to survive against Missouri State without one of their star recruits, it would’ve been nice to see him on the field in Week 1. As it stands, he’ll have to wait to make an impact with the Trojans.

One thing is for sure: Riley is hoping Stewart helps USC make some serious noise in 2025, for one reason or another. One Trojans legend is putting him on the hot seat entering the season, as former USC quarterback Matt Leinart is wondering if this is actually going to work long term.

“I know Lincoln very well, and he is on the hot seat,” Leinart said, via The Escapist. “I think he would tell you that, because you have to win there, especially when you win 10 games or 11 games out the gate. USC is flying under the radar. I don’t even know if they’re in the top 25 in one poll or both polls, which sometimes that’s a good place to be.”

USC isn’t actually forgotten, but the Trojans aren’t expected to compete at the top of the Big Ten with Penn State, Ohio State, Oregon and even Michigan. But Leinart sees a world where USC gives those teams a run for their money under Riley this year.

“It doesn’t mean there’s less expectation, but it kind of means no one’s really talking about you,” Leinart said. “You can keep your nose to the ground, you can grind, and you can start letting your play do the talking. They have a team this year that can compete in the Big Ten.”

Riley is 26-14 in three seasons at USC, topping out with 11 wins in 2022 and finishing No. 12 in the final AP Poll. That team lost the Cotton Bowl to Tulane and has been very inconsistent since then.

It all begins for Riley and company in 2025 tomorrow, as they open up the season Week 1 against Missouri State. The game will kick off on August 30th at 4:30 p.m. in LA.