Top 2026 football prospect Jahkeem Stewart announces transfer decision

Jahkeem Stewart, a five-star defensive end and the top-ranked player in the Class of 2026 according to ESPN, has officially withdrawn from St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. This significant move potentially paves the way for a major in-season transfer and a reclassification into the Class of 2025.

The 6-foot-6, 275-pound junior confirmed his exit from St. Augustine and expressed his intent to join a new program immediately. He is exploring options both within Louisiana and in other states, aiming to enroll in a new school as early as Monday. Stewart’s decision comes as he considers reclassifying to the 2025 class, which means he could finish high school this fall and start college as soon as January.

“St. Augustine helped me become a much better man than I was when I arrived,” Stewart said. “It taught me many valuable lessons. Now, I’m looking for a school that will assist me in making the right decisions for my future—a place that will help me grow.”

Stewart is not just any athlete; he is recognized as ESPN’s top recruit for the 2026 cycle. As an elite defensive end prospect, he received offers from numerous Power 4 programs before he even completed his freshman year at St. Augustine. His impressive statistics from last season include 85 tackles, with 33 tackles for loss and 20 sacks, showcasing his prowess as a dominant pass rusher both on the edge and from the interior.

If Stewart opts for reclassification this fall, he would immediately become the leading uncommitted prospect for the Class of 2025. Earlier this year, he shared a list of his top 15 schools, which featured prestigious programs from the SEC and Big Ten, as well as Miami, Florida State, and Colorado.

This past summer, Stewart took several notable visits, checking out campuses at Ohio State, LSU, Oregon, Texas, and Auburn. He also attended the neutral-site game between USC and LSU in Las Vegas during Week 1. However, Stewart has no plans to take additional campus visits during Week 2, focusing instead on finding a new high school.

“We just want to take it easy this weekend and maybe identify a new school,” he mentioned. “I expect to be enrolled somewhere by Monday or Tuesday.”