Rivals Rankings Week: Who Should Be #1 in the 2026 Rivals250?

The preseason rankings updates kicked off last week with the reveal of the latest 2025 Rivals250. This week, the focus turns to the Class of 2026, where Jakeem Stewart has a stranglehold on the number 1 position in the Rivals250.

Can anyone challenge Stewart as the No. 1 player in the Rivals250? The national recruiting analysts – Adam Friedman, John Garcia Jr., Adam Gorney, Marshall Levenson, Greg Smit And Sam Spiegelman – give their opinion on who they think should be ranked #1 in the Rivals250.

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RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK

Monday: Five Star Countdown | Meet the New Five Stars

Tuesday: New Rivals250 revealed | Gorney goes position by position | Biggest climbers

Wednesday: New Offensive Position Rankings Released | QB Rankings Overview | RB Rankings Overview | WR/TE Rankings Overview | OL Rankings Overview

Thursday: New Defensive Position Rankings Released | DL Rankings Overview | LB Rankings Overview | DB Rankings Overview | ATH Rankings Overview

Friday: New State Rankings Released | Who’s #1 in Every State?

Saturday: Roundtable discussion on the new Rivals250 rankings

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Stewart is my No. 1 overall pick, but there are a few I could give him a run for his money as a No. 1 prospect in the Rivals250. My eyes are immediately drawn to players at positions like Jackson Cantwell And Immanuel Iheanacho in offensive tackle and Ryder Lyons or even Faizon Brandon at quarterback. For now, Stewart, with his advanced technique, aggressive play style, and elite measurables, gets my vote for No. 1 on the 2026 Rivals250.

Enter into the Rivals Five Star event, I was admittedly skeptical about how dominant Stewart would look against a slate of the nation’s best blockers — mostly older than the 2026 five-star. But from an impressive frame on the hoof to a confident self-talk sample throughout the event, the “Thanos” moniker was starting to make a lot of sense for how valuable Stewart can be as a prospect. He puts immense pressure on the blocker, whether he’s looking to win with power or via counter-move, each solid with improvement to be expected as he matures. Also capable of pushing the pocket from the inside or even the outside with that great length, Stewart has defensive focus written all over him at the next level and likely beyond.

This one is pretty simple for now: Jahkeem Stewart is the best player in the class, the most aggressive and physical defender, the most physically advanced, and the one who has tested himself against the best of the best – and won almost every time.

Five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell would be the biggest threat to the No. 1 spot because he is the son of two former Olympians, is an elite offensive tackle and is pictured as LSU Cantwell was even bigger than Stewart this offseason and looked great.

Still, Stewart deserves the number 1 spot. He was excellent on the Rivals Five StarHe dominates other events, does not shy away from competition and has the edge to belong to the elite.

The answer is and remains Stewart, who we have written extensively about as being among the elite of the elite with his measurable attributes and his desire to face the top competition. He got his way with the Rivals Five Star in Jacksonville and absolutely cemented his ranking as the top prospect in the class. Not only did he show the power we knew he had, but he also mixed in some secondary and counter-movement, dominating some of the top offensive line prospects in the 2025 and 2026 classes. That performance alone makes it easy for me to keep him at No. 1.

We’ve seen nothing this offseason to suggest Stewart shouldn’t remain in the top spot for the 2026 class. He’s a rare blend of size, strength, speed and mental makeup. He’s been a consistent performer this offseason and has been one of the alpha males in the Rivals Five Star event in Jacksonville. I expect him to improve on the 83 tackles, 33 tackles-for-loss, four forced fumbles and an astonishing 20 sacks he had as a sophomore. Stewart is one of the best players in high school football right now, regardless of class.

Stewart has a compelling case to remain the No. 1 prospect in the 2026 Rivals250. After a productive junior season in the New Orleans Catholic League for St. Augustine High School, Stewart has continued to compete and show up at various offseason events, including the Rivals Five Star where he was by far one of the most dominant prospects. Defensive coaches across the country have told this analyst that they believe Stewart is a generational prospect. At 6’5” and 300 pounds, he can win with both speed and power and has added technique, strength and endurance to his game. Expectations are that Stewart can and will have a dominant season this fall. All eyes are on the five-star stud in what should be a huge year.