The preseason rankings updates started final week with the revealing of the most recent 2025 Rivals250. This week the main target turns to the 2026 class the place Jahkeem Stewart has maintained a stranglehold on the No. 1 spot within the Rivals250.
Can anybody problem Stewart because the No. 1 participant within the Rivals250? The nationwide recruiting analysts – Adam Friedman, John Garcia Jr., Adam Gorney, Marshall Levenson, Greg Smith and Sam Spiegelman – give their takes on who they assume needs to be ranked No. 1 within the Rivals250.
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RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK
Monday: 5-Star Countdown | Meet the brand new five-stars
Tuesday: New Rivals250 unveiled | Gorney goes position-by-position | Greatest risers
Wednesday: New offensive place rankings launched | QB rankings breakdown | RB rankings breakdown | WR/TE rankings breakdown | OL rankings breakdown
Thursday: New defensive place rankings launched | DL rankings breakdown | LB rankings breakdown | DB rankings breakdown | ATH rankings breakdown
Friday: New state rankings launched | Who’s No. 1 in every state?
Saturday: Roundtable on the brand new Rivals250 rankings
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FRIEDMAN’S VIEW: Jahkeem Stewart
Choosing Stewart for my alternative at No. 1 general is not a really tough name to make proper now however there are some who I might see giving him a run for his cash as No. 1 prospect within the Rivals250. My eyes are instantly drawn to gamers on the positions like Jackson Cantwell and Immanuel Iheanacho at offensive deal with and Ryder Lyons and even Faizon Brandon at quarterback. For now, Stewart, together with his superior approach, aggressive taking part in fashion, and elite measurables, will get my vote for No. 1 within the 2026 Rivals250.
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GARCIA’S VIEW: Jahkeem Sewart
Going into the Rivals 5-Star occasion, I used to be admittedly skeptical of simply how dominant Stewart would look in opposition to a slew of the nation’s finest blockers — largely older than the 2026 five-star. However from a formidable construct on the hoof to a assured self-talk pattern all through the occasion, the nickname ‘Thanos’ started to make lots of sense in simply how precious Stewart could also be as a prospect. He places immense strain on the blocker whether or not seeking to win with energy or by way of the counter transfer, every stable with enhancement to be anticipated as he matures. Additionally in a position to push the pocket from the inside and even outdoors from time to time with that nice size, Stewart has defensive focus written throughout him on the subsequent degree and sure past.
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GORNEY’S VIEW: Jahkeem Stewart
This one is fairly easy for now: Jahkeem Stewart is the most effective participant within the class, essentially the most aggressive and bodily defensive linemen, essentially the most bodily superior and the one who has examined himself in opposition to the most effective of the most effective – and received almost each time.
5-star offensive deal with Jackson Cantwell could be the largest risk for the No. 1 spot as a result of he is the son of two former Olympians, he is an elite offensive deal with and in an image from LSU this offseason, Cantwell was really larger than Stewart and seemed nice.
Nonetheless, Stewart deserves the No. 1 spot. He was excellent on the Rivals 5-Star, he is dominated different occasions, by no means hides from competitors and has the sting to be elite.
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LEVENSON’S VIEW: Jahkeem Stewart
The reply has been and can proceed to be Stewart, who we’ve got coated at size of being among the many elite of the elite together with his measurables and his want to face high competitors. He received his want on the Rivals 5-Star in Jacksonville and completely backed up his rating as the highest prospect within the class. Not solely did he exhibit the energy we knew he had, however he additionally combined in some secondary and counter strikes as properly, dominating a few of the high offensive line prospects within the 2025 and 2026 lessons. That efficiency alone makes it straightforward for me to maintain him at No. 1.
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SMITH’S VIEW: Jahkeem Stewart
We’ve seen nothing this offseason that claims Stewart shouldn’t keep within the No. 1 spot for the 2026 class. He’s a uncommon mix of measurement, energy, pace and psychological make-up. He persistently carried out throughout the offseason and was one of many alpha canine on the Rivals 5-Star occasion in Jacksonville. I search for him to enhance on his 83 tackles, 33 tackles-for-loss, 4 pressured fumbles and staggering 20 sacks he had as a sophomore. Stewart is without doubt one of the finest gamers in highschool soccer proper now no matter class.
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SPIEGELMAN’S VIEW: Jahkeem Stewart
Stewart has a compelling case to stay the No. 1 prospect within the 2026 Rivals250. After a junior season stuffed with manufacturing within the New Orleans Catholic League for St. Augustine Excessive Faculty, Stewart has continued to compete and present out at varied offseason occasions, together with the Rivals 5-Star the place he was far and away one of many extra dominant prospects readily available. Defensive coaches across the nation have advised this analyst they imagine Stewart is a generational sort of prospect. At 6-foot-5 and 285-pounds, he can win with each pace and energy and has continued so as to add extra approach, energy, and stamina to his sport. Going into this fall there’s the expectation that Stewart can and could have a dominance season. All eyes are on the five-star stud in what needs to be a stellar 12 months.
This text first appeared on Rivals.com, the chief in faculty soccer and basketball recruiting protection. Be the primary to know and observe your groups by signing up right here.
