The USC Trojans’ defensive lineman, Bear Alexander, has made the decision to take a redshirt year after seeing limited playing time in the team’s first three games of the season. Coach Lincoln Riley confirmed this news, without mentioning Alexander by name, calling it “surprising news” during a press conference. The defensive lineman, in his third season of college football, originally committed to Georgia as a highly sought-after recruit but transferred to USC after his freshman year.

Last season, Alexander recorded 47 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks, earning honorable mention all-conference honors. However, his role has decreased this season under the new defensive coordinator, D’Anton Lynn. Despite only playing 21 snaps in a recent game against Michigan and not starting any games this season, Alexander’s representative stated that he plans to remain with the USC team and continue practicing with them. He has been seen training with the second-team defensive linemen.

Coach Riley expressed confidence in the team’s ability to fill Alexander’s position, as they face Wisconsin in their upcoming Big Ten home opener. Nate Clifton, a transfer from Vanderbilt, and Gavin Meyer, a transfer from Wyoming, have been the starting defensive linemen for USC in all three games this season. Riley emphasized the opportunities that Alexander’s absence will create for other players to step up and contribute to the team’s defense.

When questioned about Alexander’s reduced playing time, Coach Riley mentioned that competition within the team is fierce and that Alexander is working hard and improving. Riley highlighted the difficulty of playing on the defensive line at USC, emphasizing the team’s progress in that area compared to the previous season. Despite Alexander’s decision to redshirt this year, Riley expressed optimism about the team’s depth and the passion of the players to make an impact on the field.

In conclusion, while Bear Alexander’s choice to redshirt may have surprised some, the USC Trojans are focused on utilizing the depth of their roster and the competitive spirit within the team to overcome this setback and continue their strong performance in the upcoming games.