Trojans by position: USC DL room

The final installment of theTrojans by Position series spotlights the defensive line and a name already being touted as one of the most important recruits in recent USC football history. This offseason, USC saw significant departures in the transfer portal, particularly in the wide receiver room. In response, much of the Trojans’ NIL resources and recruiting focus were redirected toward the defensive front. Lincoln Riley and his staff made a clear, calculated push to fortify the trenches, sending a strong message about their priorities heading into year two in the Big Ten.

True freshman Jahkeem Stewart, a five-star recruit and Louisiana native enters USC as one of the most important figures in the defensive line room. Despite his youth, there’s undeniable pressure from fans and media for Stewart to perform well beyond his age and experience level. Inside the program, however, the tone is different. Coaches and staff have been impressed with his development since arriving on campus and are steering clear of placing “boom-or-bust” expectations on him with every snap.

Significant early role for USC freshman

Before reclassifying into the 2025 class, Stewart was regarded as the No. 1 overall recruit in the nation for 2026. Even after making that move, he remained one of the most highly ranked and sought-after prospects in the country. What makes Stewart especially valuable is his ability to contribute both on the interior defensive line and on the edge. How defensive line coach Eric Henderson and defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn choose to deploy him will be one of the key storylines in the opening month of the season. Throughout this series, we’ve highlighted the Trojans’ remarkable defensive versatility, and Stewart is a prime example of that theme in action.

Stewart’s success in 2025 shouldn’t be judged solely by his stats. Instead, his value will be reflected in the impact he makes on each snap, whether or not it shows up in the box score. He’ll likely be part of a steady rotation, which is standard practice for defensive linemen, but if he can compete at a high level from the start of his college career and consistently contribute to the unit’s success, USC could be fielding one of the best defenses in the Big Ten. That, in turn, would significantly boost the Trojans’ win total and elevate their potential goals for the 2025 season.