USC defensive lineman Bear Alexander is planning to redshirt, according to his guardian Tony Jones.
“He’s taking the shirt,” Jones said in a text.
Alexander was not at practice Wednesday after practicing Tuesday. Alexander informed Lincoln Riley of his intention to redshirt Wednesday.
Following USC’s 27-24 loss to Michigan where Alexander played just 21 of 58 defensive snaps, Alexander tweeted “FREE 9-OWE” and Jones, also expressed frustration.
Alexander’s redshirt leaves USC with four interior defensive lineman who have played in all three of the Trojans’ games so far this season: Gavin Meyer, Nate Clifton, Kobe Pepe and Devan Thompkins.
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Alexander transferred to USC from Georgia after winning a national championship with the Bulldogs in 2022 as a true freshman. A year ago, Alexander played the most snaps of any Trojan defensive lineman (660), and he started 12 of 13 games making 47 tackles. But so far this season, Alexander hasn’t started any of USC’s three games, and he’s made five tackles while averaging only 23 defensive snaps per game. Last season, Alexander averaged 50 snaps per contest.
Alexander missed much of USC’s spring camp and part of the Trojans’ fall camp as new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn was installing his scheme, leading to Alexander being behind some of his peers.
“I feel like he’s really starting to get settled in with what we’re doing defensively, having missed the spring, I think he’s improving a lot as a player and excited about his progress,” Riley said Tuesday. “Now it’s just kind of the normal ebbs and flows a little bit of the season, but I think he’s on a good track right now.”
Evidently, a lot has changed since Tuesday afternoon.
Players who choose to redshirt can play in four games (Alexander has played in three). Last season, former USC running back Raleek Brown made his decision to redshirt in September before transferring to Arizona State in the offseason. Brown practiced on scout team for the majority of the year, but played for the Trojans in Week 10 against Washington when starting running back MarShawn Lloyd was out with an injury.
It’s currently unclear if Alexander will remain with the USC team after choosing to redshirt.
This is a breaking story, stick with USCFootball.com for updates.
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