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Why USC Trojans Transfer Portal Defensive Lineman Bear Alexander Chose Oregon Ducks

Former USC Trojans defensive lineman Bear Alexander announced that he is transferring to Oregon. Alexander spent two seasons with the Trojans, but he ended his year in September in order to preserve his redshirt and eligibility.

Gabriel Duarte

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. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
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. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
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During the season, the USC Trojans saw one of their prized transfer portal pickups of 2023 depart the team. Now, former USC defensive lineman Bear Alexander has settled down and found his third school in four years.

Alexander announced on social media that he has committed to the Oregon Ducks.

Alexander moves onto his third school after spending his freshman season with Georgia, before spending two years with USC. Three games into this season on Sept. 25, he announced his intention of entering the transfer portal after not getting the playing time he desired with USC. By doing so, Alexander preserved a year of eligibility by using his redshirt this season.

Currently, Alexander sits as the No. 7 defensive lineman in the transfer portal, according to On3, and was one of the best uncommitted defensive lineman in the country prior to pledging with the Ducks.

Alexander will face his former team as the Trojans will take on the Ducks next season in Eugene on Nov. 22, 2025. The former four-star prospect visited Penn State on Dec. 15 before he headed to Oregon on Dec. 19 and ultimately committing to Ducks coach Dan Lanning's squad. Alexander has two seasons of eligibility left. 

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Nov 4, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans defensive lineman Bear Alexander (90) celebrates with linebacker Eric Gentry (18) and other teammates against the Washington Huskies during the fourth quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images / Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

USC coach Lincoln Riley wasted no time in looking for Alexander's future replacement as he snagged big names through the portal and high school ranks.

The Trojans' second highest rated high school signee this recruiting cycle is four-star defensive lineman Jahkeem "Thanos" Stewart. He is the No. 9 defensive lineman and No. 54 player in his class, according to 247Sports. USC also managed to bring in three other defensive linemen through the high school ranks. The Trojans signed Floyd Boucard, Cash Jacobsen, and Gus Cordova, all of them being three-star prospects.

In the portal, USC has been linked to some big names and already have one player committed. Former Kentucky defensive lineman Keeshawn Silver. The four-star transfer prospect had 26 tackles and one sack last season for the Wildcats. Silver is ranked as the No. 6 defensive lineman in the portal per 247Sports and was highly-touted coming out of high school in 2022. He was a consensus five-star prospect who never fully broke out in Kentucky. USC co-defensive coordinator Eric "Henny" Henderson and defensive line coach Shaun Nua will look to get the former five-star back on track.

USC has also been in contention for another former Georgia defensive lineman. The Trojans have shown interest in Jamaal Jarrett. Another four-star portal prospect, Jarrett only recorded three tackles this season for the Bulldogs.

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Gabriel Duarte
GABRIEL DUARTE

Residing in Los Angeles, Gabriel Duarte is a senior at Cal State Northridge and is pursuing a degree in broadcast journalism. Gabriel is passionate about college athletics and is a writer for USC Trojans on SI and Oregon Ducks on SI. Gabriel has covered many college sporting events around the Southern California area including basketball and football for USC. Gabriel also writes for his local newspaper on high school sports.

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