Former top-10 prospect Bear Alexander doesn’t want to use his year of eligibility this season.
The USC defensive tackle will redshirt the remainder of the 2024 season after not playing a significant role in USC’s defense through the first three games of the season. Alexander was the No. 2 defensive tackle and No. 9 prospect in the 2022 high school class when he signed with Georgia.
Alexander has four tackles in three games so far in 2024. He appeared in 13 games for the Trojans last season, recording 48 tackles and seven tackles for loss. This was his first season playing at USC after his freshman year at Georgia. He appeared in 12 games for the Bulldogs, recording nine tackles.
USC coach Lincoln Riley told media members on Tuesday that there were “no talks of that happening” regarding rumors of Alexander leaving the school, and also said USC had a stronger offensive line this season compared to 2023.
“He played over a third of the game (against Michigan),” Riley told Rivals’ TrojanSports.com. “So everybody wants to act like he’s not playing. He’s doing a good job here for us. He’s getting better. There’s no story there. I know you’re looking for something, but there’s no story there. He’s working hard here and getting better. He’s in a new system with a new coach. He’s getting better. I think he’s going to get even better. It’s got to be tough to play defensive line at USC. I mean, it’s got to be pretty tough. It wasn’t hard last year, so we weren’t very good there. We’re playing pretty good there, but it’s tough and it’s a close call.”
USC is in its first season under Danton Lin as defensive coordinator, who replaces Alex Grinch, who transferred to USC from Oklahoma along with Riley.
Because players can play in up to four games in a season and still remain redshirted, Alexander could theoretically play in one game without losing a season of eligibility. It is unclear at this time if this move is a precursor to Alexander entering the transfer portal at season end.
