Jahkeem Stewart’s foot injury may not be the long-term issue USC feared when he showed up at Salute to Troy on Friday with a boot and crutches.
That was the same foot problem that bothered the sophomore defensive tackle before last season even started, and it’s the kind of setback the Trojans have already spent plenty of time managing. Stewart played his entire freshman season with a stress fracture, then had surgery last December.
At one point, Stewart was expected to be sidelined until USC’s Big Ten opener against Rutgers on Sept. 19. But Lincoln Riley offered a more encouraging update after Tuesday’s practice, saying the Trojans could have their Freshman All-American back as soon as next week against Fresno State in a Friday night game at the Coliseum.
USC is in no hurry to force him back, though. Stewart could end up starting this season, but only if he’s fully ready. The bigger concern is whether the injury hangs around once he returns.
Last season, the staff tracked the issue on a day-to-day basis. Some weeks, Stewart couldn’t practice at all because of it, and he spent the year on a snap count.
Even with that limitation, the 6-foot-6, 295-pound New Orleans product showed why he was such a prized recruit in the 2025 class. USC wants him healthy enough to play without any restrictions.
For now, he’ll miss the Trojans’ opener against San Jose State on Saturday, Aug. 29.
His absence does come at a position where USC has real depth. Michigan State transfer Alex VanSumeren leads the defensive front and brings the toughness and leadership the defense needs. He started the last two seasons for the Spartans.
Jide Abasiri is back after starting nine games as a sophomore last year, and he’ll bounce between tackle and end. Floyd Boucard gave USC useful rotational snaps as a true freshman in 2025 and now has a year under his belt. Jamaal Jarrett, meanwhile, is a huge presence at 6-foot-5 and 360 pounds, and he’s healthier, lighter and moving better than he was a year ago.
Stewart’s recovery also opens the door for younger players to get more work early. The one drawing the most attention is freshman Tomuhini “TomTom” Topui, a local product from Mater Dei (Calif.) who impressed in spring and took another step in fall camp.
His stock has climbed this month. Freshman Jaimeon Winfield, a five-star recruit in the 2026 class, and Jake Johnson are also expected to see action in the Group of Five matchups.
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The visit schedule could only sharpen the competition. Flowers is also expected back for USCs game against Ohio State, giving the Trojans another shot at showing what their program has to offer while he continues to sort through nearly 40 scholarship offers. For USC, landing a player with that kind of national attention will take more than a game-day atmosphere, but getting him on campus this early is a meaningful first step. [Read more 🡒]
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