LOS ANGELES — USC defensive lineman Bear Alexander intends to redshirt and will not play for the remainder of the 2024 season, multiple sources briefed on the decision confirmed to The Athletic.
USCFootball.com was the first to report the news.
This move will allow Alexander to preserve a season of eligibility and give him two more years to play, either at USC or at another school should he elect to transfer — the typical outcome in these situations.
Alexander earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors in 2023 and was the Trojans’ best defensive player a year ago, but he’s had a reduced role under a new defensive coaching staff this season. Alexander hasn’t started any of USC’s three games and played just 21 snaps against Michigan last Saturday.
The Trojans defensive line has performed well with Alexander in a limited role. Wyoming transfer Gavin Meyer and Vanderbilt transfer Nate Clifton have held up well as the starting tackles.
Alexander, a former five-star prospect who began his career at Georgia, has worked with the second team alongside redshirt senior Kobe Pepe. With Alexander departing, sophomores Devan Thompkins and Elijah Hughes and freshman Jide Abasiri are candidates for more playing time.
Back in April, rumors circulated that Alexander planned to enter the transfer portal, but he took to social media to announce that he would return for his second season with the Trojans. At the time, it seemed imperative for USC to keep Alexander, the program’s most talented defensive lineman.
He missed most of spring practice with an apparent injury, and the coaching staff publicly challenged him to be more consistent during preseason camp. When USC released its initial depth chart, Alexander was listed as an “or” at defensive tackle — not a certified starter.
Alexander played 28 snaps against LSU in the opener and 19 in a blowout win over Utah State before playing 21 against Michigan. He was on the field for critical moments against LSU and Michigan.
But on Monday, Alexander posted this message on X.
FREE 9-OWE ………………. 😈 pic.twitter.com/8AvVyVWpJq
— Bear Alexander (@BearAlexander_) September 23, 2024
That same day, his guardian, Tony Jones, expressed his displeasure with Alexander’s reduced role by posting videos of Meyer getting pushed back by Michigan’s offensive line.
😮💨😮💨😮💨 #91 #oneonone #movement pic.twitter.com/Gb6AZRlVHo
— Tony Jones (@maka_difference) September 24, 2024
USC has displayed good chemistry and cohesion through the early part of the 2024 season — something that was not always the case a year ago. And the defense, a huge problem area a year ago, has been much improved under first-year coordinator D’Anton Lynn.
USC coach Lincoln Riley was asked about Alexander’s role on Wednesday.
“He played over a third of the (Michigan) game,” Riley said. “People want to act like the guy’s not playing any snaps. He’s doing a good job for us out here. He’s getting better. There’s no story there. I know you guys are looking for one. There’s no story there.
“The guy’s out here working hard. He’s improving. He’s in a new system with a new coach. It should be hard to play D-line at USC. It wasn’t hard last year. That’s why we weren’t very good up there. Sometimes it’s not what somebody’s not doing. It’s competitive, and there’s tough decisions to make every week.”
Alexander reportedly was not at practice on Wednesday.
(Photo: Brian Rothmuller / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
