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Top remaining 2025 elite recruit impressed with Ohio State after College Football Playoffs announcement

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ian Valentino | Last updated Nov 6, 2024 4:02 PM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes notched a huge win on the field against the Penn State Nittany Lions, and that success can help them keep the program winning off the field. The Buckeyes continue to be a recruiting powerhouse, and they're going fishing with the top recruit left in the 2025 cycle, Jahkeem Stewart.

The 5-star defensive tackle reclassified from 2026, and the 6-foot-5, 270-pounder is being chased by all of the top programs in the country. He can be someone who walks onto campus and makes an immediate impact. In the aftermath of the College Football Playoff rankings where Ohio State landed No. 2, Stewart made a statement.

This definitely not making things easier https://t.co/7izAIzeNJE
— Jahkeem “THANOS” Stewart (@Jahkeem2026) November 6, 2024

"This definitely not making things easier", Stewart captioned the rankings. Oregon, the other main competition for Stewart, is the only team ranked ahead of Ohio State.

Stewart is set to make his initial visit to OSU this fall, placing the responsibility on Larry Johnson to ensure that his debut at Ohio Stadium is a success. The standout from Louisiana will return to OSU for the Michigan game in November and is also being courted by LSU and USC.

Previously, On3 recruiting insider Steve Wiltfong shared why the Buckeyes can beat out Oregon and USC for the valued prospect.

“Ohio State’s a program he could really see himself at for a couple of reasons. First of all, he has a great relationship with Larry Johnson and LaAllan Clark, the two defensive line coaches. Johnson, his historic track record really resonates with (Stewart), who feels like he could develop under both of those coaches. Then Ohio State’s consistency, they’re always ranked in the top five, top 10, year in and year out. They always boast some of the best defensive linemen in the country that hear their names called high in the NFL Draft.”

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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