Bear Alexander will apparently be on the move yet again at season's end. He's upset he is no longer a starter for the Trojans. Hmmm, how about you work a little harder to get back your starting role? What a novel concept. Despite his attitude this is still a big loss for the Trojans as they are now down to only 4 defensive linemen who have played so far this season.
USC defensive tackle Bear Alexander, who had expressed displeasure with his playing time, is taking a redshirt season in 2024.
Tony Jones, who Alexander calls his father, confirmed to ESPN that Alexander doesn't plan to play for the rest of the season to preserve a year of eligibility.
Alexander plans to stay with the USC team and practice, Jones said.
"We made clear what our goals are," Jones said. "That goal is to be a full-time starter and leader on the defense like we came there to be."
Alexander, a third-year player who spent his freshman season at Georgia, played 21 snaps in a 27-24 loss to Michigan last Saturday. The former ESPN top-60 recruit has 10 career tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 28 games spanning the two schools.
Prior to the redshirt news, USC coach Lincoln Riley intimated that some of the limited snaps came from increased competition at that position group.
USC has played three games, which is below the four-game threshold to preserve the season for Alexander's eligibility. By redshirting, he'll have two seasons remaining.
"If Bear not being a starter and playing 35 or 40 snaps a game isn't in the best interest of the team," Jones said, "we need to do something different."
It's a decision that's become increasingly common in the NCAA transfer portal era, where players don't have to sit out seasons to move schools. Alexander is a 6-foot-3, 315-pound defensive tackle whose size, collegiate experience and talent will assure a strong market in the portal.
USC defensive tackle Bear Alexander, who had expressed displeasure with his playing time, is taking a redshirt season in 2024.
Tony Jones, who Alexander calls his father, confirmed to ESPN that Alexander doesn't plan to play for the rest of the season to preserve a year of eligibility.
Alexander plans to stay with the USC team and practice, Jones said.
"We made clear what our goals are," Jones said. "That goal is to be a full-time starter and leader on the defense like we came there to be."
Alexander, a third-year player who spent his freshman season at Georgia, played 21 snaps in a 27-24 loss to Michigan last Saturday. The former ESPN top-60 recruit has 10 career tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 28 games spanning the two schools.
Prior to the redshirt news, USC coach Lincoln Riley intimated that some of the limited snaps came from increased competition at that position group.
USC has played three games, which is below the four-game threshold to preserve the season for Alexander's eligibility. By redshirting, he'll have two seasons remaining.
"If Bear not being a starter and playing 35 or 40 snaps a game isn't in the best interest of the team," Jones said, "we need to do something different."
It's a decision that's become increasingly common in the NCAA transfer portal era, where players don't have to sit out seasons to move schools. Alexander is a 6-foot-3, 315-pound defensive tackle whose size, collegiate experience and talent will assure a strong market in the portal.