Notre Dame Football Rival Loses Key Defensive Lineman to Redshirt

The drama with USC DL Bear Alexander continues

Nick Shepkowski | Sep 25, 2024

Oct 28, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; USC Trojans defensive lineman Bear Alexander (90) gestures during the third quarter against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

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When Notre Dame football travels to take on USC the final weekend of the regular season, the Fighting Irish rival will be without highly touted defensive lineman Bear Alexander.

According to a report from USCFootball.com, Alexander is sitting out the rest of the year as he has opted to take a redshirt.

Alexander played his freshman season at Georgia in 2022 before transferring to USC for the 2023 season. He played in a combined 25 games those two seasons, recording 53 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks in that time (the majority of which came last year at USC).

USC defensive tackle Bear Alexander intends to redshirt this season, his guardian Tony Jones confirms to @latimes. @C_Morrissette was the first to report Alexander’s intentions.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) September 26, 2024

Alexander played in USC's first three games of the 2024 season, including Saturday's last second loss at Michigan. However, he only played 21 defensive snaps during the game which USC ultimately couldn't do enough to stop Michigan's running game. Following the game, Alexander posted to X, seemingly venting some frustration.

FREE 9-OWE ………………. 😈 pic.twitter.com/8AvVyVWpJq
— Bear Alexander (@BearAlexander_) September 23, 2024

According to the report Alexander practiced on Tuesday before deciding to redshirt. There is no word in the report whether or not Alexander will enter the transfer portal or stay at USC going forward, but based on his history of changing high schools and colleges, it's easy to assume his time in the ketchup and mustard colors of USC is done.

The game of college football continues to grow away from the one we all grew up watching.