Early Season Setback for USC Defensive Line
USC sophomore defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart will miss the first three games of the 2026 season after doctors diagnosed a stress fracture in the foot that previously broke in 2025. The injury, which required surgery, ends his preseason preparations and removes a key interior presence from the Trojans' front.
Stewart arrived on campus as a four‑star recruit ranked No. 33 overall in the 2025 class and quickly earned recognition, finishing the year with 7.5 tackles for loss in Week 2 and securing a spot on the FWAA All‑American team. He became the first USC defensive lineman to receive that honor since Leonard Williams in 2012, and was later named the No. 3 Most Important Trojan by WeAreSC.com.
The loss of Stewart forces the coaching staff to lean on younger options such as Floyd Boucard and Jaimeon Winfield, who have shown flashes of playmaking ability in practice. Head coach Skyler Jones praised Stewart’s leadership while emphasizing that the team must adapt quickly to fill the void.
Adding to the early‑season turbulence, center Kilian O’Connor suffered a season‑ending injury during camp, further thinning the interior of the offensive line. Despite these setbacks, analysts remain bullish on USC’s overall depth and predict the Trojans will still be favorites in their opening three matchups.
The story has been covered extensively by journalist Matt Zenitz, who noted the broader implications for the program’s defensive strategy and the opportunities it creates for emerging talent.