Jahkeem Stewart: The Five-Star Prospect Redefining High School Football
NEW ORLEANS — Jahkeem Stewart is not your typical high school football player. At just 17 years old, he’s already one of the most talked-about prospects in the country, despite having played only 12 varsity games, the last of which was nearly a year ago. Yet, when the early signing period for college football opens on Wednesday, Stewart will be making a life-changing decision. He’ll choose between powerhouse programs like Ohio State, Oregon, USC, or LSU. As ESPN’s top-ranked defensive end prospect in the 2025 recruiting cycle, Stewart is expected to secure a multimillion-dollar NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) package from whichever school he selects.
But how did Stewart, one of the most intriguing figures in the Class of 2025, reach this point?
A Unique Path to Stardom
Originally ranked as ESPN’s No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 class, Stewart’s journey took an unexpected turn this fall. What was supposed to be his junior season was derailed when the Louisiana High School Athletic Association ruled him ineligible to compete following an in-season transfer in September. In response, Stewart reclassified into the 2025 cycle, where he now sits as the 11th-ranked recruit in the ESPN 300.
Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 290 pounds, Stewart has spent the past three months focusing on a professional training regimen rather than playing traditional high school football. This decision, made alongside his trainer and guardian Clyde Alexander, is aimed at preparing him to compete for playing time as soon as he steps onto a college campus as an early enrollee next year.
“How many times do you have to listen to Beyoncé sing to know that she’s a good singer?” Alexander told ESPN. “Look at the game film. Look at the camp film. Since this kid stepped foot on a national scene, he’s either been the No. 1 or No. 2 player in the country his entire life.”
The Generational Talent Debate
Despite his limited high school game experience, Stewart is widely regarded as a potentially generational defensive line talent. His combination of size, an elite 82.5-inch wingspan, 4.8-second 40-yard dash speed, and versatility to play across the line has scouts buzzing. However, his unconventional path has raised questions about his readiness for the next level.
- One ACC player personnel staffer expressed concerns: “He won’t come in with the reps at that position. So where is he mentally from a football standpoint? You can’t re-create the game environment.”
- An FBS director of player personnel added, “I don’t care how big and strong you are, it’s still a developmental sport where reps are the first-, second-, and third-most important thing to your growth and development. For someone to be skipping that, I’d have a lot of reservations.”
Stewart, however, remains unfazed by the skepticism. “When people see me go get 10-plus sacks next year,” he said, “they’ll see I lived up to the hype.”
Training Like a Pro
While his former teammates at Edna Karr High School practice under the lights, Stewart has been grinding in the weight room and on the turf with Alexander. This has been his routine since September, when Alexander broke the news that Stewart wouldn’t be playing high school football again this fall.
“The kid had grown tired of high school football and had dominated everything and everybody that has ever stepped in front of him,” Alexander said. “It was no longer a challenge. For someone to stand in the way of his dream? I had a real problem with that.”
Stewart’s dominance on the field is well-documented. As a sophomore at St. Augustine High School, he racked up 85 tackles and 20 sacks. His physical gifts were evident even earlier, as a 6-foot-4, 340-pound sixth grader who transformed his body and game under Alexander’s guidance. By the time he finished middle school, he had already caught the attention of Nick Saban at Alabama’s defensive line camp and shined in the 8th grade Under Armour All-America Game.
What’s Next?
Stewart’s decision to reclassify and focus on training has been a gamble, but one he and his camp believe will pay off. His signing day ceremony at Edna Karr’s gymnasium will mark the culmination of years of preparation and sacrifice. Whether he chooses Oregon, Ohio State, LSU, or USC, Stewart is confident he’ll be ready to make an immediate impact.
“I only played one year of high school football, but every time I stepped on the field — it was havoc,” Stewart said. “Nobody in high school right now could block me one-on-one.”
With expectations of earning at least $6 million in NIL deals over three college seasons, Stewart’s next program will be betting big on his potential. As one SEC scouting director put it, “Kids like that don’t grow on trees. It’s a risk you can afford to take.”
For Stewart, the past three months have been about more than just training. They’ve been about proving that his unconventional path can lead to success. “If I would have played this year, I never would have had the time to do what I’ve been doing these past three months to get me ready for college,” he said. “That was fate.”
Originally Written by: Eli Lederman
