The USC Trojans and Lincoln Riley have long been known for landing game-changing recruits, and their 2025 class continues that tradition with one of the most compelling stories in college football. As the Trojans gear up for the new season, they’ve added a freshman not only for his physical dominance on the field but also for the maturity and generosity he’s showing off it. At a time when NIL headlines often spotlight flashy purchases or endorsement deals, one USC newcomer made his biggest impact at a high school ceremony.

During his graduation from Edna Karr High School in New Orleans, the five-star recruit took the stage and delivered a speech that veered from the usual. Instead of simply expressing gratitude, he stunned the crowd by pledging $10,000 drawn from his NIL earnings to help fund a recovery room for the school’s football program. The gesture quickly went viral, earning praise across the Louisiana football community. It’s not the first time this young lad has used his NIL to uplift others. Earlier this year, he surprised his mother with a new Jeep. The name behind all this generosity? Jahkeem Stewart.

USC Trojans’ HC Lincoln Riley summed up his response to the moment in two simple words. He took to Instagram to share the news and wrote, “Very cool.” Coming from a coach known for developing elite talents and running a disciplined program, that kind of endorsement speaks volumes. While NIL has brought sweeping change to athletics, athletes like Stewart remind us of the bigger picture. When influence is used thoughtfully, it can echo far beyond the gridiron.

Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 290 pounds, Stewart has earned the nickname “Thanos,” and rightfully so. His physicality alone is intimidating, but when combined with his athleticism, 85 tackles, and 20 sacks during the 2023 season, it’s easy to see why opponents fear him.

Though he didn’t play in 2024 due to in-season transfer restrictions, Stewart still reclassified from the class of 2026 to 2025, foregoing a likely No. 1 overall ranking to move forward. As Stewart begins his collegiate journey, many expect him to make an immediate impact on the Trojans’ defense.

Can Jahkeem Stewart be USC’s X factor in defense?

Jahkeem Stewart arrived at USC as the crown jewel of the Trojans’ 2025 recruiting class, an early enrollee who skipped his senior year to start his college journey. Defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, no stranger to NFL-level talent, was floored after Stewart’s first padded practice. “The first day in pads seeing him inside, playing three-tech, getting off blocks, taking on double teams, knowing that this is a junior in high school, I had no words,” Lynn said.

Despite only playing one full season of high school football, Stewart dominated spring camp and quickly established himself as a potential difference-maker on the Trojans’ defensive front. Defensive line coach Eric Henderson helped secure his inexperience. “If you saw him in the spring, you’d be like there’s no way this guy should still be in high school. I mean, he actually had times that he dominated practices, and so it was really impressive,” Henderson noted.

USC plans to deploy Stewart across various spots: edge, three-tech, and even nose tackle, depending on game plans. Defensive ends coach Shaun Nua sees enormous potential but is cautious about overloading the freshman.

“You see the potential. So, we want to make sure that with someone with that talent, we want to make sure that we utilize them as much as possible as long as his mentals and his confidence are not affected, so that’s a major focus for us to make sure that’s not interrupted. He wants more, man. So that’s the positive thing about Jahkeem. He is a football guy,” Nua said. His challenge now is learning to trust the system rather than trying to make every play himself.

Still, the flashes have been undeniable. Stewart looks like a grown man on the field despite being a teenager. With his physical tools, advanced IQ, and a relentless motor, Stewart is all set to make an early impact in D’Anton Lynn’s defense. Who knows, the Trojans may have found their next defensive star.